5 minute read
Placing Fun at the Forefront
by EmpireMG
PHIL REID
Phil Reid, Managing Director of The Promotions Company in Bristol, building an organisation with five offices, soon to be six, in four cities. What does he believe to be the overriding factor when it comes to success within the industry? Fun.
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he most important T thing in what you do, is that you enjoy what you do”. S p e a k i n g from personal experience, but also highlighting the patterns he’s witnessed through recruitment over the years, Phil understands the importance of enjoying the workplace. The team at The Promotions Company ask candidates to lay out, in order, what matters most to them: development, progression, international travel, relationships, fun, being recognised, competitive environment and money. Which one do you think comes out in front more often that not? You’ve probably guessed it… Fun. Gone are the days where we settled for roles that simply pay the bills. In 2022, we want more from our day to day, more from our working lifestyle, and more for our future. Perhaps Covid-19 was the catalyst, perhaps we knew it all along; work isn’t just something we do, it’s part of who we are. So, who do we want to be? Fun, according to Phil, is the goal. And it has to be said, it radiates from his office as soon as you walk in; the energy of each meeting, the vibe as you walk up the stairs, the special events in the pipeline, the travel opportunities, the support and encouragement, and the learning. He sees his business, and the working week differently:
“We have seven days in a week, most people work five out of the seven. A lot of people I know will do the five in order to gain money to enjoy the two. But why not enjoy the seven?”
The fact of the matter is, if you enjoy what you do you’re going to be more productive. And if you’re enjoying your work whilst being more productive, your success will be long term. Phil likens this to the gym; if you enjoy the area of exercise or sport you’re partaking in, you’re more likely to continue to turn up, developing your skills / muscles /strength / confidence and endurance with each visit, which in turn increases your enjoyment. Whereas if you have to force yourself to go for a run or attend a spin class, your momentum will diminish, and you’ll most likely give up.
It’s important to Phil that his team have a great time so he wants to provide an environment where people enjoy themselves. Whether they join the business with ambitions of ownership or not, fun and embracing every day is what will create success for each individual.
Phil draws upon his experience growing up, not knowing what he wanted to do or where he wanted to take his career:
“I had no idea, but I wanted to do something I enjoyed, I didn’t want it to be a slog”.
He states that when he joined the business he simply enjoyed himself, built great relationships with those around him, and was able to build a skillset he didn’t even know he needed. As a consequence, he was excelling, and knew he could build a business he loved. Phil is now able to replicate this for those within his team, “as long as they’re having fun, great”.
So how does he feel about the move? “It feels great to be back in Bristol. Swindon was fantastic, but we really do have an amazing office here. The team have already been out to nice restaurants and made the most of what the city has to offer.” “Often business owners like to not take risks, and it was a big jump to relocate my team. I knew it might take us back a little bit, but so far I think we’ve proved that it’s good to break out of your comfort zone. Although some things might be daunting it’s all worthwhile when you get to the end goal.” So what is the vision for the Bristol office going forward?Rob says that he wants to make Bristol RedSeven’s highest performing office. “I really want to put us on the map here,” he says. “When it comes to the recruitment side of things, we know lots of people don’t want to live in a small town.Living somewhere like Bristol is a lot more attractive, so we hope
041 The Promotions Company have plenty in the diary for 2022 having already visited Villa Mora in Portugal, Go Ape, Cyprus, cruised around Bristol on an 80’s themed boat trip, and not to mention the weekly crew nights at Jungle Rumble, Clip & Climb and plenty of trendy eateries. Still to come are trips to Sri Lanka and Ibiza, both gifted to one or two members of the team who are setting themselves apart with their effort, results and attitude. And let’s not forget New York! The current competition within the office whereby hitting a certain sales criteria wins you a place on the trip.
Phil doesn’t just stop at arranging events and trips though, he actively invests in these social aspects with the “Party Pot”, where £1.50 from each sale, taken from the business profit, accumulates. Some ideas for the next team activity are The Wave in Bristol to try their hands at surfing, and an overnight trip at a Canopy & Stars venue, perhaps teepees or some yurt glamping.
There’s something to be said for allowing yourself the time and space to figure out your beginning, progress and even change your career. Although some may have a clear path set for them, not all is set in stone. For the majority of young people, career choices aren’t a given. In fact, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, only 59% of UK graduates are employed full-time, so even those who have gone on to University with a specific degree, and paid for it, aren’t necessarily following their initial path.
Having fun at work is key to building passions and creating success for yourself, but Phil thoroughly believes that the relationships he’s built over the years are what he values the most.
“This business has brought about the best people in my life”
He continues, “They’re not simply co-workers, but friends, mates and people I love to spend my time with”.
Kevin Nash, The Promotions Company Operations Manager, is even the Godfather to Phil’s daughter.
"If we could all emulate this level of gratitude, and enjoyment to our every day, the world would be a fabulous place. "
“Bristol offers lots of opportunities for us, thanks to its two universities and a larger more diverse pool of people to recruit from"
- PHIL REID -
