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experience growth | AUTUMN 2013 | Issue 2
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the social enterprise issue
Crowd Funding The Pros & Cons of how a little means a lot
Corporate Social Responsibility
Turning a social need into a commercial success
Owning a Cause
Is it as easy as abc?
Social Media Masterclass
5 tips to boost your social media influence
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Legacy Matt Damon’s gone on the assault Others in Mind? | Get fit with Superfoods
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Colin Tomlin, Publisher, author & growhow champion
I
am so excited about this second (Autumn) issue of experience growth online magazine. Before I tell you why, though, I want to thank you for the way you embraced our first (Summer) issue. We are really grateful and appreciative of the feedback that you’ve given to us. Overwhelmingly, you thought it was a quality focused online magazine that will be an invaluable tool to help you experience growth. Many of you have commented at how portable it is, because you read it on your mobile devices as well as desktop based ones. As a result, we are really fired up to continue with this journey of helping you experience growth! This issue is jam packed with examples, insights, tips and tools to provide a platform for you to experience growth. The focus of this issue is social entrepreneurship where we look at how you can build corporate social responsibility into the fabric of your business. Our message is simple. True CSR is not something you bootstrap onto your existing business paradigm, it
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Welcome to
is something that forms the core of who you are and what you do. Any organization (business, charity, not for profit, whatever structure it takes) is at the very core, ALL about serving people! The minute we forget that it’s over! That transformation, though, starts with a mind, spirit and body renewal, which we kick off with in our Personal Wellbeing section. So, take this issue, embrace it, engage with it, enjoy reading it and most of all experience growth through it!
Colin
In case you missed it
Browse the first issue FREE now
Regular Contributors Lilach Bullock, www.socialable.co.uk
Lilach is a business owner, social media consultant, internet mentor and founder of Socialable.co.uk. Listed in Forbes as one of the top 20 women social media power influencers she is one of the most dynamic personalities in the social media market. She is consulted by journalists and regularly quoted in newspapers on social media related matters. A keynote speaker at business and marketing seminars, Lilach teaches about online marketing. Her books have achieved No 1 on Amazon for Sales & Marketing and Small Business & Entrepreneurship, which helps to generate over 500K online page views per month. When Lilach isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid fan of Zumba. In this issue Lilach writes ‘5 tips to boost your social media influence.’
Edward Hollamby, www.eshconsultancy.co.uk
Edward & Sarah Hollamby are passionate about helping people and communities develop by exploring and enhancing the opportunities available to them. They have been doing that for the last 10 years and have literally trained thousands of people from hundreds of businesses and charities across the UK. They regularly work in partnership with Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire County Council’s, S.U.M.O, The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation & other organizations. They live in Lincolnshire with 2 children. In this issue Edward writes ‘Engendering CSR through Training?’
Danny McIntosh, Light Heavyweight Boxing Champ
Danny is currently ranked as one of the top 10 light heavyweights in the UK. The former WBO European Light Heavyweight title holder hails from Norwich, Norfolk and has just recently returned from Denmark training/sparring with Mikkel Kessler, the current WBA Super Middleweight Champion. Danny fights on the 18th May 2013 at the famous York Hall on the Prize Fighter Cruiserweights III card. Tickets available @ www.prizefighter.co.uk. He lives with his family in Norwich. In this issue Danny writes ‘How to get fighting fit each day with Shadow Boxing.’
Jamie Stephenson, People Development Specialist
Jamie has been involved in people development and organisational growth for over 15 years. With a passionate belief that each person is made for purpose and influence alongside a belief in building real, relevant and impactful church he's committed his life to helping people live to their max. Jamie currently lives in Norwich with his wife and two children. In this issue Jamie writes ‘The Spirit of Giving.’
Judy Tomlin, www.betsycatherinecreative.co.uk
Judy is behaviourial specialist and social entrepreneur with over 17 years experience in schools across the country. A Psychology graduate, she specializes in behaviour management and currently is the lead teacher at a specialist resource base in East Norfolk, UK. Passionate about the convergence of education and enterprise, Judy has set up a social enterprise that uses business as a tool to engage young people to learn life and entrepreneurial skills by running their own chocolate distribution ‘franchise’. She is married to Colin and they have 2 children and almost own a cat and a dog. In this issue Judy writes ‘Others in Mind.’
Guest Contributors Yemi Akinsiwaju, www.leadershipsummit1.com
Yemi Akinsiwaju is the founder and CEO of DaySpring Consulting. He is a dynamic leadership expert and author of the highly acclaimed book, Scorecard: Achieving Success and Balance in a Turbulent World. He is a Management Consultant who has helped a wide range of organisations ranging from small business enterprises to multimillion pound institutions in the public sector and the charitable sector to rapidly improve their results and accelerate their success. As a prolific writer of hundreds of articles, Yemi’s passion is to be a potent catalyst for the release of the leadership greatness that resides in every human he meets. In this issue Yemi writes ‘The secrets of how exceptional leaders achieve results.’
Karen Bailey-Edwards, Accounting Professional
Karen is a Chartered Certified Accountant, specializing in Forensic Accounting and is also a Law and Criminology graduate. She has been working in accounting for over 23 years in the UK and internationally. A keen traveller, Karen has been able to combine that love with her profession having had the opportunity to practice her craft in litigations in the Caribbean, USA and Europe. Her philosophy is ‘to live your best life always’ because in doing so you will be able to unleash their full potential. In this issue Karen writes ‘10 ways to become & stay focused.’
Mindy Gibbens-Klein, The Book Midwife
Known widely as founder of The Book Midwife, Mindy is a speaker and consultant focused on business owners and subject matter experts who need to build their credibility. Her mission is to discover and expose REAL Thought Leaders and show them how to position themselves as the true authorities in their field by writing and publishing the best quality books, ebooks, articles and blogs, and by developing powerful speaking content. As a writing and publishing consultant, she coaches and mentors clients through every stage of writing, publishing and speaking. Together with an extensive network of associates, she has helped over 300 aspiring authors to get their books and articles written and published to build their profiles as leading experts. In this issue Mindy writes ‘4 top tips for achieving REAL Thought Leadership.’
Sandra Mundy, Juicing & Healthy Eating Enthusiast
Sandra has been a Juicing & Healthy Eating enthusiast for some for 20 years now. Working at a Holistic Clinic for 6 years closely working with doctors that practice Natural Medicine, helped to foster her thinking. When she ate clean fresh foods she noticed that she felt better and her body performed better. Sandra, is noticeably healthy often saying that she feels better now than in my 20's. She is constantly being asked what's her secret to maintaining her healthy lifestyle so she has a desire to share it with the world and teach people how to look and feel their best so they can be great in their own skin. In this issue Sandra writes ‘Get Superfit with Superfoods.’
Publishing & Editorial Director Colin Tomlin colin@egmagazineuk.com 0785 34 33 700
Coaching & Education Director Judy Lynch-Tomlin judy@egmagazineuk.com
Design Creative Wells Design design@egmagazineuk.com
Advertising advertising@egmagazineuk.com 0785 34 33 700
Partnership Development partnerships@egmagazineuk.com 0785 34 33 700
Photography Google Images Fotolia Jaguar Sandra Mundy Dianne Dunkley Danny McIntosh Liza Melle BBC
Published by Creative Wells Enterprises Ltd Costessey Lane Norwich NR8 6HA
Terms & Condition: All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this online publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed permission of Creative Wells Enterprises Ltd. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage of any material, solicited or unsolicited. The views expressed in this publication are not those of the publisher or those of the advertisers. No cash alternative will be offered for competitions and the editor’s decision is final.
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Contents News
Social Causes
UK: Best place in Europe for entrepreneurs
Owning a Cause
A recent report suggest UK tops the list of Enterprise friendly countries
Who’s responsible for fixing the world’s ills. Governments & Charities, right? Or is it? Maybe you too can own a cause. It’s as easy as abc.
What’s New?
What growth resources are out there for free & also for a fee
Personal Wellbeing Shadow Boxing
Preparing your muscles and your mind to get out of the shadows
Get Superfit with Superfoods
You are what you eat! Is that really true or just a load of strawberries?
Others in Mind
Is doing good, really good for you? We explore the psychology of keeping others in mind
In the Spirit of Things
Does being socially conscious help or hinder your spirituality?
Business Matt Damon
Find out how Hollywood’s most socially responsible actor leverages his celebrity to create a lasting legacy.
Cover Story Matt Damon
Turning a Social Need into a Commercial Success We explore Herman Allen’s journey to do just that.
10 ways to become & stay focused!
Discover how to get on track and stay that way with 10 simple methods.
Glad you took the plunge?
Entrepreneurs tell us what they do plus why, when & how they do it.
Others in Mind Is it good for you?
We show. You know. You experience growth. Event focus
Money Crowd Funding
We know that a little means a lot. But does this apply to Funding your ideas...and what are the pros & cons of this approach?
Training Crowdfunding
What are the pros & Business Feature cons of this approach? True Entrepreneur?
Engendering CSR through Training
How can training be used to build a corporate culture of social responsibility
Technology Social Media Masterclass
Our Social Media Expert provides you with 5 tips to boost your social media influence
Cars Training
Engendering CSR through Training
Click to Find out more
The New Jaguar F Type Has the iconic Jaguar E Type found a worthy successor? An E Type owner gives his verdict
Speaker insights 4 Tips to REAL Thought Leadership Mandy Gibbins-Klein
shares her insights on how to achieve influence through thought leadership.
The Secrets of how Exceptional Leaders Achieve Results Yemi Akinsiwaju shares his secrets on how to get results.
Click to Find out more If you’re a trainer or coach and want to be part of the GROWzone, please contact us on growzone@egmagazineuk.com
eg news funds from banks is becoming increasingly difficult. However, with the emergence of crowd funding as a viable alternative funding model, funds are becoming available with usually a positive social side effect. 1. Access to Access to Funding Funding
How attractive is the UK for entrepreneurs?
A recent report by professional services giant, Ernst & Young, whilst asserting that entrepreneurs provide the main engine of growth in any economy, suggests that the UK is not doing too badly on 5 fronts in particular.
Access to Funding In the UK, funding is primarily provided by banks. With the credit squeeze, accessing these
on G20 Entrepreneurship Survey
Entrepreneurship Culture
The attitude to entrepreneurship as a career choice has improved over recent years. It is becoming a very respected, if slightly misunderstood option. However, the attitude to business failures may need to be looked at as establishing a business is inherently risky! 2. Entrepreneurship Culture
A quick glance at our TV schedule suggests that the United Kingdom is an extremely entrepreneurial nation with BBC’s Dragons’ Den & The Apprentice taking centre stage in the battle for ratings. Of course, being TV, a lot of the scenarios are sensationalized which makes for better viewer engagement. But just how attractive is the UK for entrepreneurs and how easy is it to create the next Reggae Reggae empire?
#2
#6
on G20 Entrepreneurship Survey
Tax & Regulation
Understanding the tax and regulatory framework and the inherent cost of employing professionals to deal with it is a hindrance and a headache to many a would be entrepreneurs.
experience growth magazine.
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The Dragons of
BBC’s Dragons’ Den
on G20 Entrepreneurship Survey
Education & Training
Lord Sugar & co
BBC’s The Apprentice
The debate rages as to whether Entrepreneurship is taught or caught! In the Ernst & Young survey, 80% of the respondents believed that these skills should be taught. One approach is to promote lifelong learning for core business and managerial skills. One good thing, though, is the improved access to mentoring opportunities, peer group clubs
“
Traditional schooling aims to prepare employees, rather than creative entrepreneurs. As a result, the more successful traditional schooling is the more it stifles creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit.
”
4. Education & Training
#4
#6
on G20 Entrepreneurship Survey
Coordinated Support The report suggests that joined thinking between governments, entrepreneurs and corporations is what is necessary to provide a supportive environment conducive to entrepreneurial success. Coordinating, business mentoring, funding and even ministerial support in government is seen as vital. Here, though, the UK scores very low. In fact, the highest score went to Russia!
5. Coordinated Support
3. Tax & Regulation
Having a say in creating a clearer and more entrepreneur friendly system would certainly be more attractive.
#17
on G20 Entrepreneurship Survey
So, what do you think? Does the report resonate with you?
Click here to read the report
Professor Yong Zhao, University of Oregon
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growth resources. for FREE
Are you happy with the way you work? Are you engaged, energised in the office? Or do you sometimes feel that your days are dominated by process and technology?
‘The workplace liberator’
Reimagining business is about waking up to a new environment, based on collaborative and flexible working, on technology that, used correctly, liberates rather than constrains. The future of work must be based on being open, on focusing on results, not process and on empowerment, not hierarchy. Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer at Microsoft UK, with a broad base of experience, steps up and delivers his call to reimagine business.
Download this book for FREE
for a FEE
Muhammad Yunus is a globally respected banker, economist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient from Bangladesh who pioneered the concepts of micro credit and micro finance.
Dave Coplin, Microsoft UK’s visionary ‘the banker to the world’s poor’
In this book, he shows how social business has gone from being a theory to an inspiring practice, adopted by leading corporations, entrepreneurs, and social activists across the globe. He shows how social businesses and activists transforms lives and asserts why he thinks that this model can make good on the failed promise of freemarket enterprise.
Download this book for a FEE
Muhammad Yunus, Banker, Economist, Activist
Connect with
us! experience
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growth.
experience growth magazine
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Boxing workout
Personal W
with Danny McIntosh former European Light Heavyweight Champion
How to get
fighting fit each day by shadow boxing
1. Stance
The first thing you set is the placement of your feet so that your balance and posture is correct in your boxing stance. Daily Application: Start your day with the right posture. It makes all the difference and puts you in a better position to have a productive day.
experience growth magazine.
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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Wellbeing
4. Footing
All aspects of your shadow boxing are controlled from the legs as they control the speed and power of punches and movement and stability of the upper body so always keep your eye on the mirror to see that you are correct. Daily Application: The success of your day is determined by your footing or your focus. Start each day on purpose. What are you setting out to do today? Why?
5. Practise
2. Guard
Put your guard up and check your positioning for any openings or gaps in your guard. Daily Application: Make sure your guard is up at all times. Not to repel people but to repel negative thoughts and attitudes.
3. Block
Practice your blocking, warding off blows and counters while keeping your posture and balance in check. Daily Application: Learn to keep your posture in check is by making gratitude your mindset. Today find something to be grateful for!
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
Mimic all aspects of boxing and practise speed of hand fleetness of foot and block, slip and roll, also being defensive and offensive to cover all angles in the art of boxing. Daily Application: Practice may not make perfect but it certainly makes better. Why not try these things everyday and have an amazing journey out of the shadows of your life!
experience growth magazine.
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Get superfit with
Sandra Mundy
Juicing & Healthy Eating Enthusiast
How to transform your life by healthy eating
experience growth magazine.
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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with superfoods Step 2
Shop at Farmer's Markets to get fresh, organic produce which is normally cheaper than the health food stores or supermarket organic foods.
Pre-Step Healthy eating is not as hard you’re led to believe. It’s not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin or starving yourself. It's all about eating wonderful fresh foods that make you look and feel great! Adding super foods to your daily meals will boost your immune system, ward off diseases, trim your waistline and fight the signs of aging.
Step 1
Set yourself up for success by making small manageable changes, which can become habit. Instead of counting calories think of colour, variety, freshness and wholesomeness.
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
Step 3
Start juicing and blending which is a great way to get in lots of superfoods! Purchasing a juicer is a great investment for your health and you can get all your daily requirements of fruits and veggies in one morning shake! It Also does wonders for the colon and gets rid of waste and toxins that tend to lurk in the body.
Step 4
Don't give up on your favorite food. Instead of frying, bake or roast your food. In addition, switch to Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of butter and have more salads as side dishes.
Step 5
Finally, start your morning off with Hot green tea with lemon, this is a wonderful way to recharge your metabolism. The lemons also rid the body of toxins, bacteria and mucus.
experience growth magazine.
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Others
in mind. by Judy Tomlin Behavioural Specialist & Social Entrepreneur
H
ow we behave individually or as a corporate entity will often reveal our thinking and philosophy about serving others. Is growth reflected in our beliefs about corporate social responsibility [CSR] and personal giving? Do we consider supporting and serving others as foundational? Or in these times of recession weary woes is it all about self-service? Most of us would agree that we need others. Family, friends, mentors, students and teachers, work colleagues, employees, suppliers and customers. The list of OTHERS that form our everyday relationships is substantive. We live and work in communities, and as such it is wisdom to invest in supporting and serving each
others wellbeing as ultimately we are all beneficiaries. Some companies have inbuilt CSR programmes that focus on a relevant area of ‘giving back’ or service into the communities they are associated with. Some companies will set up as Social Enterprises from the beginning. Both models have inherent to them a level of giving and serving to a community. So what does the mind-set of ‘service-growth’ look like?
1. A Conviction & Commitment to a Social Need When we are convinced of something, that belief will carry with it a passion and certainty. Our resulting
experience growth magazine.
behaviour can be anywhere on the continuum of passionate debate to positive action. As growing people, and entrepreneurs I would like to think our aspirations are further along than debate alone. There are as many different sources of a conviction as there are those of you reading this. As such commitment must be added to the equation if we’re serious about growth and change. 2. A Defined Strategy to Progress the Purpose A clearly defined WHAT needs a clearly defined HOW. Ownership and responsibility of a need in our local and global community is going to need clear strategies in order to
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
eg
‘Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.’
progress. You’re convinced of a need so now do some research of how it impacts the community you are focusing on. Is there an outright solution or is it steps and stages? What resources are needed? How are they obtained? Ask all the questions you need to stimulate creative and definitive strategy for growth in your purpose. 3. A Concern & an Understanding of Connection We are naturally concerned that fellow human beings are experiencing life-threat and hardship. Being connected as fellow human beings means we can empathise with the experience. If we can’t, if there is an attitude of ‘pull up the ladder Jack, I’m alright’ or a distancing and
denial of a need, then we are displaying a serious disconnect. We should understand the link between us. We should understand that while we concern ourselves thinking about others, connection means there are others thinking about us. We should understand that just one earthquake, flood, tsunami or lesser event, could leave us wondering where our next drink of clean water is coming from – needing the support of others concerned and connected to our plight. You say, ‘Judy, it’s not realistic to expect me to support all the issues in society, the world!’ I say, ‘I didn’t ask you to.’ Breathe. Calm down. Think. What am I convinced about? What can I do now?
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
What could I grow this to? So, what’s your mind set regarding others? Are others even on your agenda? Think through your own ‘service-growth’; does anything need changing? What principles are worth having as core and what could you implement or fine tune as the resulting behaviours and strategy? I would suggest that examining and applying mind sets of social responsibility is truly Thinking for a Change. The Dalai Lama puts it well when he says, ‘Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.’ So, who can you do something for right now?
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Join the Chocolate Cause
Unwrap your gourmet
Chocolates
while we
Unwrap potential in Young
People
Join the Chocolate Cause www.betsycatherinecreative.co.uk
Spirit The
of
giving by
Jamie Stephenson People Development Specialist
Whether we like it or not our choices and actions have an effect. This is true on a personal level but is even impactful for businesses and ? corporations. Businesses leave a footprint of influence on many factors that may be seen or unseen such as employees welfare, the local economy, the environment and beyond that the world around them. If you look at the world with a somewhat objective perspective you will quickly see that societies and communities are facing increasingly hopeless situations. The unemployment levels, issues within families, crime
Are there any spiritual benefits in being socially responsible? What are they and how can they help you to refocus?
experience growth magazine.
levels, alcohol and drug use to name a few are impacting the world in a negative way. Businesses are positioned perfectly to initiate change and be the catalysts for transformation where they exist. The idea that businesses can have an impact in the world may not be a new one but it is certainly one that is more relevant than ever before. Imagine a company that in the process of building profit also is committed to the environment, the local community, charitable giving, welfare programs for employees and generally considering how its actions impact the world around Issue 2. Autumn 2013
eg
“
Although I don't have a prescription for what others should do, I know I have been very fortunate and feel a responsibility to give back to society in a very significant way.
”
Bill Gates, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
them. This kind of company has the capacity to significantly impact and resource the world in a way that's way bigger than its balance sheet. Within this in mind there are two questions all business leaders need to ask of their business. The first question is; ‘Why are we here?’ This may sound like a question straight out of a philosophy book but I believe it is more applicable than just an intellectual understanding. The answer to this question gives a business an identity that characterises how it operates. As a business are we looking to just make money or are we concerned about engaging with people and
contributing something of value to the world around us? If it's the latter then we need to make a commitment and ensure that this value flows throughout every facet of the corporation. If the only reason we are being concerned about being environmentally friendly as a company is to tick the box then we've missed the point. There has to be an ownership and a clear commitment to being responsible as a company. The second question we need to ask is; What do we want to be known for? Although many of us who build and pioneer things never want to consider the day when we finally have to walk away from what we've built it's a
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
stark reality that one day we won't be there. Consider for a second looking back at what you've built over your lifetime. Are you happy with what you see? Are you content with an organisation that may have produced significant amounts of money but in the process has left a trail of disaster, hurt and pain along the way? We all have an in built desire to be successful and live a life of greatness the sad thing is that many of us leave it too late or are consumed with selfish aims that we often never truly leave an impact. Let's build our organisations with the understanding that we're leaving a legacy that others will be excited to continue to build. experience growth magazine
eg
“
I don’t
think
k limits� Usain Bolt,
The fastest person ever
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cause
Owning a
… as easy as abc?
C
heck out these really shocking statistics. Over 3 billion people live on less than $2 a day.
That’s about half of the world’s population. Of that some 1.3 billion live on less than $1 a day. A third of the world’s population is well fed, while two thirds is underfed and starving. The result? 4 million people will die of hunger this year. Almost 1 billion people cannot read or sign their names so are subject to exploitation and poverty. Over 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. 40 million people live with HIV/AIDS. The richest 20% of people in the consume 86% of the world’s resources while the poorest 20% account for an unfathomable 1.3%. In case you are tempted to think that all this is happening far away and has no bearing on you, you may be surprised to realise that 13 million people in the UK are considered to be living in poverty. That’s almost 1 in 5 of everyone living in the UK! And the list goes on. It would appear there are more than enough causes to own. So, what do we do?
accept a C
AUSE
“What cause are you owning?”
At first glance the information seems overwhelming and your initial response may well be that, while something has to be done, it is up to the UN, government and non governmental organizations (NGO’s) to sort it out. However, in his book, Giving, former US President Bill Clinton sets out the case for private citizens doing public good by giving money, time and skills. “When I left the White House, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life giving time, money, and skills to worthwhile endeavours where I could make a difference. I didn‟t know exactly what I would do, but I wanted to help save lives, solve important problems, and give more young people the chance to live their dreams. I felt obligated to do it…” He chronicles the efforts of Bill and Melinda Gates who through their foundation have made a significant impact on global health, poverty and education. Dr Paul Farmer, his work through his Partners in Health is providing quality medical care to the poor across the globe. Of course, he lets us in on what’s happen with His own work.
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
But you don’t have to have the resources of Bill and Melinda, Dr Farmer or Bill Clinton to make a difference. You can make a difference right where you are. It all starts by accepting and owning a cause!
believe you can make a DIFFERENCE
“What can you do about it?” Let’s consider the case of poverty in the UK. If, as the statistics suggest, 1 in 5 of the UK’s population live in poverty, you are very likely to know someone who may not have enough to live on. The starting point is looking around to see who you can help. You may not want to go to the trouble of setting up a foundation or a charity but you can easily offer to buy a week’s grocery, or do something as simple as inviting them round for a meal. The reality may even be that you are one of those people who are struggling. Even that doesn’t exempt you. Oseola McCarthy, after 75 years of living a meagre existence, was able to give the University of Southern Mississippi a gift of $150,000 to start a scholarship fund for students whose parents couldn’t afford to send them to university.
experience growth magazine.
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commit to change SOMETHING
“What’s the result you’re after?”
So, what do you want to see? I know I’d like to see more people own causes.
Are you going to be like the Priest and the Levite in the story of The Good Samaritan and look the other way? Or are you going to be cross the road and go t0 your neighbour in order to help, even at your own expense?
Look around. What do you want to see? Well…get to it, accept that cause, believe you can do something about it and commit to change it. eg
I want to see less people giving up on their dreams. I want to see less poverty. I want to see more men become better fathers who are responsible examples of manhood for their children, particularly their sons! What about you? What will you do?
“No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his body, to risk his life, in a great cause.” Theodore Roosevelt
Are you going to look at all the causes around you and do nothing? Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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It’s Impossible! “
“
scoffed pride
It’s
“
“
screamed Risky!experience
It’s
“
It’s
“
Pointless! stated reason “
“
Worth a try! suggested my heart
You
hear what you
read eg
We show. You know. You experience growth.
story cover
social enterprise
special
Probably the
BEST
social entrepreneur in
Hollywood
“
Our vision is clean water & sanitation for everyone, in our lifetime
“
Matt
Damon Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne may well have hung up his guns and gadgets but he has taken up a new cause which aims to destroy one of the world’s great crises.
by Colin Tomlin
A
t first glance Matt Damon is like any other Hollywood megastar with all the accolades to go with his superstar status. He didn’t quite burst on the scene in 1988 when he delivered his single line as Steamer in Mystic Pizza. That all changed 9 years later when as Will Hunting, in Good Will Hunting he put in a critically acclaimed performance that earned the film nominations for nine Academy Awards. In the end the film grossed over US$225 million on a budget of US$10 million and won Best Supporting Actor for Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Affleck and Damon.
Hollywood success
Matt Damon, Hollywood power player, had arrived! Since then he has gone on to play some of the most memorable characters in both film and television. The most memorable being Linus Caldwell in the Oceans (11, 12 & 13) and of course, Jason Bourne in The Bourne film series. The result?
Matt Damon’s films have grossed over US$2 billion, which makes him one of the top 20 actors of all time! Damon’s films have grossed over US$2 billion. This makes him one of the top 20 actors of all time!
The Young Damon
Matt Damon was born in Massachusetts, the son of Kent Damon, a stockbroker of English and Scottish ancestry and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an early childhood education professor of Swedish and Finish descent. When he was two his parents divorced and Matt, along with Kyle, his brother moved into a commune with six other families. At ten years old he met the then eight year old Ben Affleck. A lifelong friendship and fascination with the silver screen followed. They went to school together and eventually tasted success
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
together as the writers of Good Will Hunting in which Affleck also costarred. In addition to a silver screen fascination, Matt Damon has some strong family values. For example, he and his family have a ‘two week rule’; he can’t be away from the family for more than two weeks in one go. So far he hasn’t broken it. One of his other values is helping others out of poverty, which he attributes to trips with his mother to South America when he was a teenager, which left an indelible impression on the young Damon.
The Social Entrepreneur
In 2006, while filming ‘Running the Sahara’, a documentary about three men who set out to brave experience growth magazine.
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“When you see the difference that water can make in a community that feeling of pure joy, there's nothing really that can compete with that in my day job.”
the elements across one of Africa’s harshest terrains, Damon and co set up a charitable arm to the project called The H2O Foundation to raise funds and awareness of the plight of close to 1 billion people without access to clean drinking water and the 2.5 billion who don’t have access to proper sanitation. You may be tempted to think that this is Damon’s vanity project with him just lending his considerable celebrity to a cause; a few photo opportunities and a little fundraising and he’s done. Not so! This is clearly a cause he is committed no. “You know, a child dies every 21 seconds because they don’t have access to clean water or sanitation— once you know that, and once you see that, it is
really hard not to do something,” is how he captures his passion in a previous water.org press conference. In fact, it was on a trip to Zambia in 2000 where he took a long walk with a 14 year old girl to get water that he had his moment of clarity. He realized that if access to clean water wasn’t made easily available she would spend most of her time scavenging for water with little or no time left to pursue her dream. As a result, The H2O Foundation merged with Water Partners International in 2009 to become water.org with an ambitious aim of providing
‘Safe water and the dignity of a toilet for all.’ Can it be done? Matt and Gary White, his very well respected cofounder and CEO thinks so! Theirs is a partnership that clearly works with Matt, the charming boy next door that passionately brings attention to the crisis and Gary ably developing innovative solutions to eradicate it. So far, they have delivered their promise to over 1 million people across Africa and Asia. Matt is clear why he is able to do this. “You can’t do everything; that’s why I picked this one thing and really focus on that.”
“You can’t do everything; that’s why I picked this one thing and really focus on that.”
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Matt’s 1
Nancy Carlsson-Paige
As a teenager, Matt went with his Mum, a University Professor and early childhood specialist, on trips to South America and saw the devastating effects of poverty first hand. This early experience helped to shape his viewpoint and proved to be a catalyst for his passionate pursuit of this cause.
2
1
2
Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Ben Affleck
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was political science professor, author, playwright and social activist, who wrote more than 20 books about the civil rights movements and US labour history. Hailing from Boston, he was watched and admired by a young Damon who went on to narrate a documentary based on his memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train.
10{ Matt Damon’s
top
influencers
Ben Affleck
Ben has been a constant friend (and distant relative) in Matt’s life ever since they met when Matt was 10 and Ben, 8. They pursued acting together and shared initial success in their first film hit ‘Good Will Hunting’.
3
3
top
films
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Howard Zinn
Date
Film
Role
Box Office
1996 1998 2001 2002 2004 2004 2006 2007 2007 2010
Goodwill Hunting Saving Private Ryan Ocean’s Eleven The Bourne Identity Ocean’s Twelve The Bourne Supremacy The Departed The Bourne Ultimatum Ocean’s Thirteen True Grit
Will Hunting Private J Ryan Linus Caldwell Jason Bourne Linus Caldwell Jason Bourne Staff Sgt Sullivan Jason Bourne Linus Caldwell La Boeuf
US$ 138 m US$ 216 m US$ 183 m US$ 122 m US$ 125 m US$ 176 m US$ 132 m US$ 227 m US$ 117 m US$ 171 m
experience
growth. while you’re on the go
eg We show. You know. You experience growth.
Turning a Social Need into a Commercial Success by Herman Allen Business & Social Entrepreneur
“T
he phrase ‘social enterprise’ is a relatively new but commonly used phrase. It describes an organisation with the mission to address some human or environmental need. The focus is on improving some specific aspect of society, and in some way that’s reward in itself and where the real profit is to be achieved.
Our Businesses
I run two organisations, both social enterprises, Holibrook House and Hopewell School aimed at caring for and educating young people who have had
challenges in those areas. These types of provision use to be run entirely by the local authority but in recent years they have been outsourced to the private sector.
“The focus is on improving some specific aspect of society, and in some way that’s reward in itself and where the real profit is to be achieved.”
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My Approach
Whilst some social enterprises are structured on a non-profit basis we took the view from the outset that we would operate as a for-profit company.
For us it was the shortage of good quality residential accommodation for young people caught up in the care system.
My Experience
Social enterprise businesses operate in a market like any other business and that is the first and most important thing to understand. Even though
Prior to starting the company I had zero experience in the social care industry. The move from a career of being a design engineer in the construction industry to setting up a social care business was
the product is ‘care’ or ‘education’ all the principles associated with supply and demand still apply. We have been running Holibrook House for a decade now, and have had to meet all the challenges that any normal business meets in order to grow succeed. It always begins with identifying an area of need or market for a proposed product.
dramatic. But the one thing engineering gave me was the ability to solve problems. Even though the problems were considerably different from the problems I had encountered, I found that coming from outside of the industry gave me a unique perspective. I found I did have the personal skills that matched with the potential service in terms of leadership and creativity.
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My Team
I was well aware that this would not be a one-man band as operationally I would need skilled operatives to carry out the work in an industry I was not trained in. John Maxwell is quoted as saying, ”teamwork makes the dream work.” I have taken the decision not to become too enmeshed with the
operational aspects of the business such that I am able to see ‘the woods from the trees’, thus keeping my focus on the business needs and development. I admit this has only been partially successful because the temptation is always to become submerged in the day to day. It takes real effort to stick to my core competencies of
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As an owner of a social care business I constantly remind myself that the purpose of the business is to provide a service that the community profits from and that must always be the primary motive. However, we need to be viable as a business so profits are very important but still of
secondary consideration. In practice to ensure this happens I allow responsible and social care trained partners/staff within the business to make decisions where conflict of interest could have arisen if I had made the decision, such that it’s very clear, ‘people first, profits second’. Over the years we have built a multi £million social care business currently with over 80 staff employed in the
various teams and still expanding. We are in the business of providing care and education and our continued success will be a function of how well we provide those services. To that end we have developed a Code of Honour, which starts, ‘Mission first…’ This is a constant reminder that commercial success is very much related to committed people focused on providing a caring and competent service that achieves the best outcomes for the people we serve.
“
providing strategic direction and business management, but I have found that the business thrives better when I do.
”
I constantly remind myself that the purpose of the business is to provide a service that the community profits from. However, we need to be viable as a business so profits are very important but still of secondary consideration.
”
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o t s y wa e m o c e b
0 1 ta day a e n o t ei 1. Tak e time you ar
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ing in sett ntify e l u r t ide rs The fi goals is to ho w ic go and t. realist ou want to i y chieve a e r o e t h t w ou o can ill set you w y person wh . l u The on ne this is yo your i m r r e t of de te e mas ill have to h t e r You a and you w ngly. y destin rge accordi ha take c
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th about elfc i t s i l st s rea Being quires hone le to e b r goals t o be a s e t ou t n o i t a ou n exami ne if what y be done. i ct determ ve can in fa ite a e i w h , r to ac etable ast goals m i t a Make reflect on p them l, ed journa you attain hmark nc ow and h this as a be se oals. and u ture g u f r u f or y o
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w ho those and y b d lives luence Be inf g their best do the n in are liv that you ca ised e pr n imagi ou’ll be sur n you put Y e same. u can do wh o y t it. w ha ind to m r u o y
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y a t s . & d e s u c fo ledge w o n k tes 7. A c tribu t a r he you ny of t
k or a evices t e boo o n a nic d Take electro ist ten of f o a r pletho ilable and l n of your te va now a engths and is you’ll tr th your s sses. From e strong n r weak where you ese as the h e deduc es lie. Use t ur goals. t yo attribu to scoping st cataly
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ed not (or not) detail se p e e K o w c l o t he m . h d n a g goals to achievin ormed e r a r fo inf n what y ou w o l l a l eo il This w s to be mad ontinue to on oc decisi done t e b o t needs s. s progre
ching a e r e ualiz 9. Vis goals p med u your y su m
ou aptl isney he said ‘If y ’ D t l a W it . en an do e p wh this st am it, you c nd with e ga can dr d dream bi e, they a e tenc Go ah persis y. & e c patien ome a realit c will be
to kind e B . 10 se l f your in line betweeinve
struct is a th There ive and con not to l ct obstru . Be carefu urself, yo sm critici n enemy in key to e a h e eg t creat u hold tential. o y e s o becau ing your p iz maxim
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Diane Dunkley, a real music junkie, tell us what she does plus why, when and how she decided to take the plunge.
?
Glad you took the
PLUNGE 1. What is the name of your business and what does it do? I named the company RM2 standing for Real Musicians, Real Music which sums up the ethos of the company and the type of artists we work with. I grew up in an age where musicians played instruments and it was a craft which was practised daily leading to longevity. You still hear that music today and it stands the test of time and the sound has a depth, warmth and feeling. The live shows were where the music came alive, not a CDJ in sight! I want to help bring that back and celebrate it. RM2 has 3 divisions: RM2 Music - which deals with artist management, managing all aspects of an artist’s career RM2 Live – which is a booking agency, booking artists for tours, one off shows, corporate
entertainment and festivals etc RM2 Records – a small record label which can be used by RM2 artists as a vehicle to release their product. Artists can cherry pick elements of our services so they have a customised package which can support them at whatever stage they are in their journey.
2. How long have you been running the business? RM2 has been going for 3 years now. After helping build a previous company 3 years prior I decided to step out on my own. Even though the previous company was doing big things, working with artists such as Prince and Annie Lennox I felt I needed to branch out and do the work I wanted to do with the artists I wanted to work with.
experience growth magazine.
3. Why and how did you get into that? Music has always been my passion so I have always wanted to work in the industry though I wasn’t blessed with a talent. Instead of buying clothes and makeup as a teenager I was in record shops and using my dinner money to buy Smash Hits and No 1 magazine. After my A-levels I found a music industry course however my parents insisted I go to university so I studied Business and Finance. After which I went down the corporate route and spending 15 plus years in contract management economic regeneration. My last role being a Business Development Manager at London Underground looking after their commercial contracts. I still continued to follow
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music in my free time and over the years got to know artists when one day a friend from the States rang and asked if I would help him come to the UK to perform. So I called on a friend to help and it snowballed from there. It started off as a hobby but we kept being recommended and before we knew it, became a viable business. I was still at London Underground at this point then one day there was the announcement of a restructure and job losses so I saw this as my chance and after 10 yrs with the company I took voluntary redundancy and
went full time into building the business and doing what I had always dreamed of doing, working in the music industry.
4. What’s your long term game plan? I have so many plans for RM2 my overall vision is for RM2 to be a premium booking agency and music management company, specialising in black music. It will be an industry model of good practise in booking and promoting shows. Future ambitions include RM2 Productions, managing a stable of producers, RM2 Publishing
and RM2 Radio. I am currently working on a new project called The BBASE Foundation which celebrates British Black Music, highlighting what it has contributed to the music scene both in the UK and globally, also educating new talent on the history and the industry
5. Would you go back to being employed? I can’t see it happening any time soon. Being self employed gives me the flexibility to work around my family. Plus being in charge of your own destiny is very liberating!
Diane Dunkley with the legend that is Annie Lennox Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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5 Diane’s top
tips
1. Have a passion for what you do
When the going gets tough, and it will, this is what keeps you going.
2. Get a business mentor They will keep you accountable for your business goals.
3. Take time out All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl.
4. Don’t be afraid to say no When starting a business it’s natural to want to take all business that comes your way which don’t always fit in with your objectives and can take you off track.
5. Regret weighs more than Fear If you have a dream or big opportunity go for it, you’ll only regret it if you don’t.
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Diane winning the Ladies at Eleven New Business award 2011
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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We show. You know. You experience growth.
experience
growth.
Nobody said it would be easy but
it’s worth
it!
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Crowd Is crowd funding really a good idea..?
Pros
C
ontrary to what you might think, crowdfunding is nothing new. For example, when Johann Heinrich Zedler, 17th century German bookseller and publisher, decided to issue a collection of works of Martin Luther he used a subscription business model. In 1884, the Statue of Liberty’s committee ran out of funds for the pedestal. Newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer urged the public to donate money toward the pedestal using his New York World newspaper. He raised more than $100,000 in six months with over 125,000 people contributing to the cause with the majority of donations being $1 or less. In 1996, UK rock group Marillion, raised close to £50,000 using a fan based internet campaign.
Recent history Fast forward 17 years on and the developers of Star Citizen, a multiplayer online game have raised over £10 million, a new record, taking the total amounts raised on
Issue 2. Autumn 2013 experience growth magazine.
crowd funding platforms globally to $2.7 billion in 2012, up from $1.5 billion in 2011 and just under $1 billion in 2010. So, it’s clear that crowd funding works; the idea of a little from a lot of people being tried and tested. So what are the pros and cons of crowd funding as a means of funding? What do you need to be mindful of if you seek to bypass traditional equity or loan based funding?
The Pros of Crowd funding · Access to Funds Of course, this is the primary objective so this has to be the primary benefit in the whole process. The funding means you can get on with your project, product or idea. ·
Increased Project Profile
An engaging project can increase the profile of the
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eg eg
funding ...or is it simply following the crowd?
project and enhance the reputation of the creator. This has the positive effect of making the project more attractive. ·
Market Research & Awareness
Project initiators can test the appetite of the market for their product and engage an audience. Even an unsuccessful campaign delivers useful market feedback. ·
Potential Buyer Engagement
Damaged Reputation
?
If the project initiators do a really bad pitch or not meet their goals, there is a likelihood that their reputation will be adversely affected, damaging any future prospects. · Project Idea Theft This particularly applies to Digital Content Developers who upon releasing information about the project open themselves up to idea theft. ·
Potential of Scamming
Like everything internet based, there is a likelihood of scamming where people raise funds with little or no intention of honouring project commitments. This will limit public engagement.
The Cons of Crowd funding
·
· No Funds Many of the funding platforms operate an ‘all or nothing’ policy so if you ask for £100,000 and you raise £95,000 you get none of it.
There is little opportunity to verify the project initiators claims as to what the benefits of the product are. You simply have to take their word for it.
Little ability to undertake due diligence
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Cons
Potential buyers can track the progress of the project and provide feedback at every step of the way in real time via the comments or forms on the fundraising platform
·
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engendering
Corporate
Social responsibility
Training. through
by Edward Hollamby Organizational Training Specialist
W
hen my wife and I set up our first business over ten years ago we committed that every month we would give away a proportion of our work time and money to worthy causes. For a number of years I supported the work of Young Enterprise delivering Enterprise Days to 180 mixed-ability secondary school kids. Without doubt this taught me far more than I could have ever taught them. Not because I wasn’t very good at it, but because I believe that when you ‘give something back’ the person giving often receives far more than the person receiving. When my wife visits a project we support in Ghana she takes numerous items of varying monetary value. The women and children at the education centre are always delighted with their gifts but are seldom more elated than Sarah. For her the joy of seeing children laugh and play with bubbles in clean clothes could never be measured in pounds and pence. This is what CSR is all about for us and many of 300+ organisations we are privileged to have worked with. The CSR definition used by Business for Social Responsibility is; “Operating a business in a manner that meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of business.” The European Commission wraps two definitions into one; “A concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment. A concept whereby
companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.” So how can training be used to engender CSR? I was asked a few years ago to work with a Not for Profit organisation who wanted to “transform the culture within the organisation.” Whilst I would love to say that after just two hours with me all the trustees, staff and volunteers were transformed into exactly what the CEO had said she wanted, that would be a lie and I was always taught not to lie! Instead we agreed that I would work with the organisation over an extended period to help them develop a training programme that has (according to the final evaluation) radically changed the organisation. This programme was deliberately developed so as it could be run in-house so they no longer need to use their precious resources paying external trainers like me in the future. I believe one of the fundamental skills of a good leader is to get people to do what you want them to do, because they want to do it. I also believe that one of the fundamental skills of a good trainer is to provoke, to prompt, to stimulate – to engender. Engendering CSR through training starts from the outset. Following careful recruitment, induction training should be heavily focused on the values of the organisation. It should demonstrate the organisation’s views on Profits, People and the
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Planet (John Elkington, "Towards the Sustainable Corporation: Win-WinWin Business Strategies for Sustainable Development," California Management Review 36, no. 2 (1994): 90–100). Thereafter, it is vital that this message is reinforced with newsletters, additional training, bonus schemes, policies, procedures and strategic reviews being measured against the organisations CSR targets. One of the phrase that has been helpful to a number of Not for Profit charities as well as hugely profitable private companies is “Not for Personal Profit.” Organisations that train people in a way that helps them work in such a way that is profitable to people and the planet is an organisation that is likely to see a high level of success, satisfaction and maybe even a little joy along the way.
If you would like to chat please free to ring me on +44 1522 752219 or email edward@eshconsultancy.co.uk. You can see more of what we are up to by visiting www.eshconsultancy.co.uk or by following us at @eshconsultancy
I believe that when you ‘give something back’ the person giving often receives far more than the person receiving. experience growth magazine.
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reps is what makes muscles grow. “
The last three or four
This area of pain divides
the champ from someone who is
not a champion
�
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We show. You know. You experience growth.
ion Arnold Schwarzenegger
Actor, Politician, former Mr Universe
5
The Social Media
Masterclass
Technology
R
ecently, I’ve written an article on how to measure your social media influence, which raised the question, What is social media influence? Although difficult to calculate, even with the different tools available, I believe social media influence is a combination of several factors:
· ·
·
·
The number of fans and followers The number of shares and retweets you get compared to the number of posts you make How often people engage with you on social media, asking you questions or discussing your work or simply talking to you by commenting on your posts How many mentions you get
When you are influential on social media, people care about what you have to say and they also interact with you constantly. Here are a few tips on how to increase your social media influence:
with
tips
social media consultant, internet mentor & founder of Socialable.co.uk.
to boost your
Social media
influence
1. Post great content that is full of value
This is one of the best ways to increase your influence on social media. Try to make it point to share a few times every day, content that provides real value to your audience. This way, you show that you are a constant source of valuable content, almost like a living and breathing content curation tool. People will want to follow you just so they can get their daily fix of content. Ideally, you should share your own content if you have a blog. But if you don’t have your own blog, no need to worry. Even by sharing other peoples’ content you can get the results you want. Try to also include your own insights whenever you post someone’s content. Make short commentaries where you express your opinion on the article or the issues it covers, and ask questions related to the article to spark debates with your followers.
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2. Engage with your audience
This is another thing that I’ve said over and over again – engage constantly with your audience on social media. This is the ‘trick’ to bringing in all the results you could possibly want from social media: more traffic, increased influence, more leads, more shares etc. Engage by:
· · · ·
sharing and retweeting other people’s posts ask and answer questions leave comments give likes, +1’s, etc.
Try to also be helpful on social media – look for questions that you can answer and use your knowledge to give insightful
‘...engage constantly with your audience on social media. This is the ‘trick’... experience growth magazine.
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replies. By retweeting and sharing others’ posts, you increase your chances at getting back retweets and shares. And the more you get, the more people you will reach – thus helping increase your influence.
3. Grow your follower and fan numbers with people who are genuinely interested in you Most people believe that the more followers and fans you have, the better. I however have gone on records many times now saying how much I disagree with this statement. Although it is obviously useful to have lots of followers, as you can increase your reach exponentially this way, if your followers aren’t interested in you and what you post, then they aren’t of much use to you – and they certainly won’t help you grow your influence. Use tools such as ManageFlitter for Twitter to unfollow anyone who hasn’t been active in the last 30 days and spam accounts. This in turn will get them to unfollow you, as these are the types of accounts that are mostly there for the follower counts.
4. Post often
In order to increase your influence or even keep it at the same level, it’s very important to be consistently active on social media. If you don’t post anything for a week, you will soon be forgotten. This is especially important on Twitter, where a tweet disappears from users’ home pages in mere moments so it is recommended to tweet several times a day. On social networks like Google+ and Facebook however you can post fewer updates and still remain relevant, as they are not as fast-paced as Twitter.
‘If you don’t post anything for a week, you will soon be forgotten. This is especially important on Twitter, where a tweet disappears from users’ home pages in mere moments’
5. Identify other influencers in your niche
Each niche has its own list of social media influencers. Identify them, and then start building a relationship and interacting with them by sharing their posts, commenting on them and retweeting them. By building these relationships, you will increase your chances of getting your posts retweeted and shared by them. This will only help you reach a lot more people, but you will also start getting associated with them. If influential people are sharing your content, your social media influence will start growing by associating.
‘By building these relationships, you will increase your chances of getting your posts retweeted and shared by them.’
Get more... ‘if your followers aren’t interested in you and what you post, then they aren’t of much use to you’
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Jaguar enthusiast & E-type owner
Roger Mayor
Image by Liza Melle
“
...a worthy successor to the E-type?
asks...
“
Is the new
F Type...
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S
o it’s finally here! The long -awaited successor to the iconic E-type has hit the showrooms in a blaze of publicity from Jaguar. So far, reported sales have been phenomenal, with many cars destined for foreign markets such as the USA and China. But can the F-type really take its place in the exalted company of not only the Etype, but also the great sporting lineage that preceeded the E-type - the Le Mans winning C-type and D-type? To answer that objectively is problematic! Here we have two Jaguars separated by 50 years of automotive development, the F-type mass-produced, the E-type built largely by hand. Every panel on the F-type fits perfectly, all the gaps uniformly spaced. But it was well-known at the time of E-type production that panel gaps varied enormously. Period photographs of new E-types rather prove the point: nothing was standardized in the way that massproduction of all cars are today. However this should not lead us to automatically reject the E-type as an inferior product. There is a certain charm about the hand-built sports cars of the ‘50 and 60’s. And to put it into context, the E-type was what today we would term a ‘supercar’ in that its performance set it streets ahead of the competition. Its top speed of nearly 150 mph was double that of most family saloon cars of the day. The same differential cannot be applied today to the F-type.
Although in V8S iteration its top speed is 186 mph, this has to be compared to the 130 mph achievable by many hatchbacks. To drive the E-type now is a step back in time, its steering unpowered and heavy at low speeds, its clutch heavy. It has only 4 forward gears (the F-type has an 8-speed auto box with paddle-shift), and it has no electric windows or air-conditioning. But as soon as you press the starter button and the straight-6 fires into life, you know this is something special. There is incredibly direct throttle-response and with the 4.2 litre car (introduced in 1964 to replace the 3.8) there is mighty torque that thrusts you back in your seat even at 110 mph! So, how about the F-type? There are 3 models currently, all roadsters. The V6 comes in two guises, the standard V6 and the V6S. Then there is the top-ofthe-range V8S, pumping out nearly 500 bhp.
All three versions allow the driver to sit low in the car with excellent protection from turbulence, and their low-profile tyres and quick steering racks allow phenomenal cornering speeds. Having driven the F-type on the Top Gear test track, I can attest to the fact that these are real driver’s cars! But what about practicality? My 1965 fixed-head E-type can accommodate luggage for two for a 2 week driving tour. But the boot on the Ftype is woefully shallow, and accommodates less luggage than my Mazda MX5! So would I change my Etype for an F-type? With the price of the top-spec Ftype approaching £100k, and depreciation to swiftly follow, I think I’ll make the prudent decision to hang on to the rare E-type, and watch its value increase. Almost certainly, the E-type will remain an icon, a tribute to its Norfolk-born designer, Malcolm Sayer, and a masterpiece of British engineering.
All three versions allow the driver to sit low in the car with excellent protection from turbulence, and their low-profile tyres and quick steering racks allow phenomenal cornering speeds. Having driven the F-type on the Top Gear test track, I can attest to the fact that these are real driver’s cars!
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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4
top tips for achieving...
by Mindy Gibbins-Klein international speaker, book coach & leading UK writing & publishing strategist
Thought leadership can win you more business and all it takes is for one person to recognise that they have those qualities.
real Thought leadership
O
nce you have established yourself as a though leader there is real scope for you to transform your business. From the CEO or MD, to every employee, anyone can stand out for important ideas that add real value to your customers and clients. The market seems to have taken a sudden turn and is in fact now demanding companies to stand out in other ways. So now is the time to get yourself established as the best thought leader in your field! I discovered four simple steps to identify yourself as one. Just think, am I REAL? REAL thought leadership defines four key attributes which, if achieved, will give businesses a greater chance of being seen as a thought leader in their industry. REAL thought leadership contains four elements: Reach, Engagement, Authority and Longevity.
1. Reach
involves the recognition amongst the community of would-be clients or customers.
Get yourself some speaking engagements at places where y our potential customers might be. You being at these sorts of events increase the likelihood that you will be remembered – and people tend to buy from people they know. Then you can start the
2.Engagement. The best way to achieve this is by creating more personalised communications with your audience. Social media lends itself to this and some companies are using this method very successfully, with key individuals being interacting with contacts and followers on Twitter, LinkedIn, Ecademy, Facebook and other tools.
The third element of the REAL standard implies that you must become a true
3. Authority
in your industry. This is what secures you as the trusted brand and no one else. In other words, you are beginning to stand out in your field. One of the best ways to is to begin to establish yourself as bold – boldness is what enables you to speak out with confidence about what your business has to offer.
experience growth magazine.
Not only must the business be seen as an Authority, but key individuals must also stand out. Every client or customer of yours would like to feel they know what the CEO or managing director stands for.
4. Longevity
depends on your ideas being remembered long after you have left a meeting or long after someone has read material of yours. Longevity means you and your organisation stay in people’s minds for the right reasons. The full-length book in print is still the best builder of credibility available to us, yet so few people write and publish books. Having worked with hundreds of business people on their books, I have seen many authors win business by publishing a good book that demonstrates Authority and Longevity. Creating a culture of thought leadership definitely starts at the top. Establish yourself with Reach and top it up by Engaging with your potential customers. Then you can establish an Authority which will make people remember you in Longevity. Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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Secrets leaders...
of how
the
EXCEPTIONAL
by Yemi Akinsiwaju by Yemi Akinsiwaju Leadership expert, Author, Management Consultant & leadership expert, author, management consultant and international speaker. International speaker
W
hether it is the breakdown of families, youth crime, poverty, social injustice, political discontent, religious intolerance, moral perversion of diverse sorts or economic disarray, you can trace the problem ultimately to the lack of high-quality leadership in those entrusted with serving in those arenas of life. So, what are the precepts of successful leadership that you can embrace today which would ensure you become an even more effective leader? Or put another way, what are the secrets of truly exceptional leaders who have achieved phenomenal results that you can infuse within your own life to accelerate your leadership success?
I’m glad you asked… I will share three principles which I discovered that all exceptional leaders follow. You do want to know them, don’t you? The first is…Vision. The surprising reason why it is a secret is its simplicity. Many would-be leaders look for the answers outside themselves and lose sight of the truth handed down through the ages that the seeds of greatness lie within you. Exceptional leaders found within their own hearts a noble vision, a cause that benefits humanity, for which they were willing to give their lives. This noble vision became a magnificent obsession that attracted others to join them in its fulfilment!
Exceptional leaders found within their own hearts a noble vision, a cause that benefits humanity, for which they were willing to give their lives. Issue 2. Autumn 2013
Now, before you say, “I already knew that,” and dismiss it, let me ask you… “What noble vision are you actively pursuing today that represents your magnificent obsession, which you are truly willing to give your life for?” You see, true ‘knowing’ is proven, not by your words but by your actions! The second principle is
focus.
Exceptional leaders have cultivated the power of disciplined focus on the achievement of their vision. What made Thomas Edison conduct ten thousand experience growth magazine.
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achieve
...
results. Exceptional leaders have realized that success without integrity is the pathway to failure.
Nazism? Focus!
The third element is integrity.
What makes an Olympic Champion end up on the podium of sporting success? Focus!
Exceptional leaders have realized that success without integrity is the pathway to failure.
Exceptional leaders have cultivated the power of disciplined focus on the achievement of their vision.
experiments before arriving at his invention of the light bulb? Focus! What made Nelson Mandela spend twenty-six years in jail fighting apartheid? Focus! What made Winston Churchill a resolute champion against
What will make you a truly exceptional leader in your own arena of influence? Focus! It’s the personal discipline of following one course until successful in it.
experience growth magazine.
Simply put, don’t do in the dark what you don’t want seen in the light. Leaders who ignored this principle ended up on the ash heap of disgrace; just ask Lance Armstrong. Embrace these three principles and your effectiveness as a leader will increase significantly. So ask yourself right now... What is my vision, my focus and my level of integrity?
Issue 2. Autumn 2013
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We show. You know. You experience growth.
I hope
You
are
CRAZY...
“ ...because the
People
who are
crazy enough to think they can
!
WORLD are the ones who do Steve Jobs
“
CHANGE the
experience
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growth.