The Informer - May 2019

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Member in the spotlight

Become a more human leader

Nicolette Robinson of Mimo Brands on the thrill of giving a tired brand a new lease of life

T h e

Discover how compassion and self-awareness can encourage your team to perform at their best

I n f o r m e r Issue 27

May 2019

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YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT How to enhance your performance

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Meet. Work. Grow.

"Success is not in what you have but who you work with."

INTRODUCTION

ADAM BLASKEY FOUNDER & CEO The Clubhouse

W e l come As we reported last month, our members feel overwhelmingly positive about their businesses and they are growing. Recent figures from The Office of National Statistics showed that unemployment in the UK is only 3.9% – the lowest level since 1975, as the labour market has become increasingly flexible.

However, despite the digital revolution speeding up the way we do business and most developed economies taking geopolitical risks in their stride, economic performance around the world remains lacklustre and we are stuck in a productivity trap. According to the US-based Conference Board, annual growth in output per worker has hovered around 2% over the past few years, down from 2.9% between 2000 and 2007 and with no signs of any imminent revival. So why haven’t we seen increases in productivity as a result of the remarkable advances in technology

which are supposed to make us more efficient in what we do?

This is a question that is perplexing some of the smartest economists around the world.

So with this in mind, here at The Clubhouse, we are focused on doing our bit to support you in helping to change this and to boost productivity. Our network of innovative, design-led flexible meeting and work spaces provide a smarter, flexible alternative to a London office and a better way to do business.

From the innovative technology solutions we provide, such as MultiTaction’s MTCanvus in The Greenhouse to Starleaf video conferencing in The Boardrooms, we also need to recognise that productivity starts with ourselves. We are what we eat and what we eat at work directly correlates with how we perform, so turn to page four to read about our new menus and the food we offer which can help you to

maximise your productivity whilst at The Clubhouse. Looking to unlock potential within your organisation? Turn to page seven to learn how to create people-centric cultures to drive performance by boosting fulfilment and engagement – and if you want to find out how global organisations such as Accenture, Unilever, Lego and Cisco achieve this, please join us on Tuesday 21 May at The Clubhouse, Holborn Circus (see page six for details).

We have two other great events this month. On Thursday 16 May we are hosting a Business Sale Seminar – unmissable for anyone considering selling their business to understand the difference between success or costly failure. Then on Wednesday 22 May, please join us at The Clubhouse, St James’s, when our guest speaker will be Rowan Gormley, the wine pioneer behind Naked Wines and now Group CEO of Majestic Wine.

THE CLUBHOUSE P R O D U C T I V I T Y T I P #27 Our to-do lists and overflowing inboxes can often be overwhelming, affecting productivity, so ensure you say no to things that aren’t a good use of your valuable time or which can be delegated to others.

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SAY NO

DESIGN & ART DIRECTION

Christian Gilliham_christian@cgcreate.co.uk_07951 722265

To partner with The Clubhouse or promote your business in The Informer please email adam@theclubhouselondon.com Copyright. The Clubhouse London Ltd

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PRODUCTIVITY

Brain food

What we eat at work directly correlates to how we perform. At The Clubhouse we’ve updated our menus to help you maximise your productivity

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ood is fuel – put the wrong kind of petrol in the tank and an engine can’t perform to its optimum ability. Knowing what makes our bodies thrive is understood by many of us – a low calorie, low fat diet, combined with an active lifestyle, is a well-established healthy approach. But what about our minds?

Eating well can increase energy and focus, it can ensure a healthy immune system, resulting in reduced absenteeism, it can improve sleep, leading to greater concentration, all of which support good mental health. It’s also been shown that the more portions of fruit and vegetables eaten per day, the happier, more engaged, and more creative we will be at work. In a study by the British Journal of Health Psychology, adults who ate more healthily over a 13-day period exhibited greater levels of wellbeing and also cited increased feelings of meaning and purpose at work. In addition, those who ate five portions of fruit and vegetables on at least four days per week demonstrated an increase in performance by 25% compared to those who didn’t.

At The Clubhouse, the wellbeing of our members is important to us.

Because our aim is to make our members and their businesses more successful, not only do we offer complimentary fruit, we have also worked closely with our caterers to create a new menu that could have a tangible effect on your team’s productivity. When we eat foods that release glucose slowly, such as white bread and pasta, fizzy drinks and sweets, we have a blood sugar spike that gives us a quick burst of energy followed by a slump, which in turn leads to low energy levels and low productivity. How many times have you reached for a carb-loaded lunch and found yourself feeling sluggish soon after, unable to focus and feeling tired? Seasonal, fresh, innovative, tasty food that stimulates your brain as well as your tastebuds is a better option, and we’ve worked hard to ensure our members and their guests can access thoughtfully designed food options to regulate energy levels and sustain concentration.

Dishes that contain fibre and protein have been linked to increased productivity and attention spans, and steady blood sugar levels are linked to increased self-control – crucial when dealing with a challenging client or stressful negotiation. For breakfast meetings, our Yoghurt Pot with Seasonal Berries delivers protein, minerals and probiotics to help the digestive system, increasing the amount of water absorbed by the intestines, improving hydration, while blueberries have a potent combination of antioxidants that improve memory and motor coordination.

Avocado, which features in our Mixed Wrap Selection, contains mono-unsaturated fats, which contribute to healthy blood flow, the main requirements for a healthy brain. Almonds flaked on to our new Cauliflower Salad contain phenylalanine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier where it stimulates the brain to generate natural mood-boosting neurotransmitters including dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Our Vegetarian Wrap Selection includes eggs, which contain a B vitamin called choline that enhances memory and reaction time – and the Aubergine Salad will keep your brain sharp by enhancing communication between your brain cells and messenger molecules. In need of a quick snack? Our packets of Nutty Mix include almonds, high in riboflavin known to boost memory, walnuts, high in Omega-3 to help brain function, and cashews, high in magnesium, known to open up the blood vessels and therefore deliver more oxygen to the brain. If you do want to reach for the sweet stuff, dark chocolate has antioxidant properties that increase the production of endorphins.

Finally, lets not forget that throughout time, connections have been made around food. Whether over lunch or a mid-morning snack, people communicate and collaborate in an informal manner, exchanging ideas and developing relationships. We hope you enjoy the new, improved food selection on offer, designed to help you and your team make the most out of your time at The Clubhouse. ●

Dishes that contain fibre and protein have been linked to increased productivity and attention spans

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Meet. Work. Grow.

MEMBER STRAPLINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NICOLETTE ROBINSON STRATEGY DIRECTOR Mimo Brands

The pow e r of re i n ve n ti on Tell us about your company.

Mimo Brands is a creative, nimble, entrepreneurial brand strategy consultancy that helps launch, mend or transform brands.

We pride ourselves on solving the most challenging brand and business issues, with insightful strategies that deliver commercial results. This powerful mix of robust data analysis, sound reasoning and inspiring creativity helps organisations to grow.

Our people are all board level, client and agency-side experts in their fields. We are unusually easy to work with, fast and good value. From household names to early-stage businesses, we’ve worked with over 70 brands across diverse categories in multiple territories since our launch in 2012.

What has been your biggest success?

Two highlights stand out for me: launching Bombay Sapphire Gin, which reinvented the gin category and sold to Bacardi for £1.9bn, and launching Knowhow for Dixons Carphone (sales increased 300% in two years and the share price rose from 183p to 500p). Getting brilliant results from creative thinking is what inspires me.

What projects excite you right now?

We are currently working on a new brand strategy for Homebase to transform the customer experience and commercial performance. Major brand transformations of household names are very rewarding,

and this is fabulous opportunity to help to resuscitate a tired brand on a mission to re-connect with their customers.

How has being a member of The Clubhouse contributed to the success of your business?

It’s enabled us to work really flexibly across London, whilst having the credibility to host board level marketing discussions. Our clients love the environment and always want to meet up here.

Where can members find you?

I love the light and space upstairs in both The Clubhouse, Bank and Holborn Circus but The Clubhouse, St James’s is a great central location and I love the quiet sofa space in The Clublounge. I prefer to mix my working week depending on the location of our client meetings. mimobrands.com

We pride ourselves on solving challenging issues.

Our people are all board level, client and agency-side experts in their fields. We are unusually easy to work with, fast and good value

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QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Favourite place to go in London?

Greenwich Park, you feel on top of the world and it has got the best views of London.

Who inspires you and why?

My late grandmother, she was a fearless pioneer – a code and cipher expert, and world champion town crier! She taught me anything is possible if you stay focused on the end result.

Best bit of advice you’ve been given?

People are drawn to positive energy – you can achieve more with the carrot than the stick.

If you were on a desert island, what would you bring?

On a good day my family (we have feisty four-year-old twins and a lively teenager) or, if I was solo, a small library of books and films so that I could catch up on all the brilliant creative talent I’ve missed.

Which super power would you like to have?

Telepathy – it would make uncovering key consumer insights much faster.

What is the worst business ‘faux-pas’ you’ve committed?

I’m good with faces but not names. I once asked Count Cinzano what he did for a living, he was horrified I didn’t know who he was!

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FUTURE EVENTS

The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse

HOLBORN CIRCUS

ST JAMES’S

Members’ Breakfast: Creating People-Centric Organisations

An evening with Rowan Gormley, founder of Naked Wines and Group CEO of Majestic

TUESDAY 21 MAY 8:00 am - 10:00 am

FREE FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLUBHOUSE AND THEIR GUESTS

Experience a radical and proven approach to developing leaders and unlocking organisational potential based on an understanding of what truly drives people.

Leading global consultancy Potential Project will share their research involving 35,000 leaders from around the world and insights from leading global experts in neurology and mindfulness. Learn how organisations like Accenture, Unilever, Lego and Cisco have created progressive working cultures through nurturing leadership that raises engagement and productivity, and setting leadership expectations for humility and compassion.

SA V E T HE DA TE

Rowan Gormley

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm FREE FOR MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS/£25 FOR NON-MEMBERS Rowan Gormley had the good fortune to be hired by Richard Branson - and fired by Tony Laithwaite. It lead him to start Naked, a crowdfunding platform which backs independent winemakers, to make wines exclusively for Naked. Over the last decade, Naked has sold over £500m of wine, garnered over 16m wine reviews, and invested over £300m in backing over 200 winemakers.

Naked was acquired by Majestic Wines in 2015, with the intention of transforming Majestic from being UK and offline, to international and online. Now Rowan has set his sights on changing the way we buy wine altogether turning a 2,000-year-old industry on its head.

HOW TO BOOK: VISIT THECLUBHOUSELONDON.COM OR ASK AT THE FRONT DESK

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BUSINESS SALE SEMINAR

FREE LEGAL ADVICE FOR MEMBERS

RESTAURANT

Selling a business can be complex, with a great number of factors to consider. Each factor can mean the difference between success or costly failure. This is an essential seminar for any business owner considering a sale now or in the near future. Presented by leading experts from business sale consultancy, taxation and legal, it is the most comprehensive seminar of its type in the UK. This seminar covers the following: the market today – valuation principles and drivers; selling a business – the legal essentials; enhancing value and creating competitive advantage; selling a business – the tax essentials; maximising the transaction process. The event is hosted by Avondale, leaders in strategic M&A.

In continuing our partnership with Mishcon de Reya, we hope that this relationship will help us to further deliver our aim at The Clubhouse – to make our members and their businesses more successful. Based in London and with offices in New York, Mishcon de Reya services an international community of clients and provides a full range of legal advice including all aspects of corporate law, real estate services, employment law, private and family office work and dispute resolution. As part of our partnership, members are entitiled to a free legal consultation with a Partner at Mishcon de Reya. Visit our website to find out more.

In 1342, it was the home of one of London’s great City Guilds, The Drapers, who rich on the profits of the British wool trade bought many of the buildings that line St Swithins Lane. Today, modern European flavours dominate the menu, and in addition to an extensive à la carte menu, The Don offers a fantastic value weekly set-menu. Their wine list has won a Wine Spectator Award, as one of the best in the world every year since it opened.

THURSDAY 16 MAY 8:00am–12:00pm THE CLUBHOUSE, ST JAMES’S

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THECLUBHOUSELONDON.COM/MISHCON

Meet. Work. Grow.

THE DON

MEMBERS OF THE CLUBHOUSE CAN ENJOY A

10% DISCOUNT ON THEIR FOOD AND BEVERAGE BILL FOR LUNCH AND DINNER BY SHOWING THEIR MEMBERSHIP CARD. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE PRIVATE PARTIES.

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THEDONRESTAURANT.COM

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LEADERSHIP

How to become a more human leader

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s human beings, we ● are all driven by basic needs for meaning, happiness, human connectedness, and a desire to contribute positively to others. Leaders that truly understand these needs, and lead in a way that enables these intrinsic motivations, have the keys to enable strong loyalty, engagement and performance.

There is a vast upside to human leadership.

As data from McKinsey & Company shows, when employees are intrinsically motivated, they are 32% more committed, 46% more satisfied with their job and perform 16% better.

The problem, however, is about 70% of leaders rate themselves as inspiring and motivating – much in the same way as we all rate ourselves as great drivers. But this stands in stark contrast to how employees perceive their leaders. A survey published by Forbes found that 65% of employees would forego a pay raise if it meant seeing their leader fired, and a 2016 Gallup engagement survey found that 82% of employees see their leaders as fundamentally uninspiring. In our opinion, these two things are directly related.

Our research at Potential Project showed that a global movement is taking place amongst the C-suite of thousands of progressive organisations like Accenture, Marriott, Starbucks, Microsoft and LinkedIn. The leaders of these organisations ask themselves, “How can we create more human leadership and peoplecentred cultures where employees and leaders are more fulfilled and fully engaged?” Based on our work in creating more human leaders, here are a few tips:

Leadership expert Rasmus Hougaard explores why peoplecentric cultures create more fulfilled and engaged employees Be personal Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry Wehmiller, a global manufacturing company, and author of Everybody Matters, has gone to great lengths to instil truly human leadership within the company. For all decisions being made that have impact on employees, he asks himself: if my child or parent or good friend worked here, would they appreciate this decision? In this way he makes a managerial decision a personal question. Try the same when making decisions affecting your people.

Be self-aware Leadership pioneer Peter Drucker said, “You cannot manage other people unless you manage yourself first.” When you understand yourself, you are better able to understand and empathise with the people you lead, and in turn lead for their intrinsic motivation. Good leadership starts with self-awareness, and self-awareness can be greatly enhanced through the practice of mindfulness.

Be selfless Dominic Barton, global managing director of McKinsey & Company, says that selflessness is the foundation of good leadership. Leadership

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is not about you, but about the people and the organisation you lead. With selflessness, you take yourself out of the equation and consider the long-term benefits of others. Selflessness does not mean you become a doormat for others and refuse to stand up for yourself.

Selflessness comes out of self-confidence and self-care. When you make decisions, check your motivation – are you doing it for personal gain, or for the benefits of others?

Be compassionate Compassion is the intention to bring happiness to others. If you have ever had a leader that was compassionate, you will know what it feels like.

The person has your interest in mind. As a result, you feel safe, trusted, loyal, and committed.

When it comes to leadership, nothing beats compassion. It is a universal language that is understood by anyone, anywhere. If you want to bring more compassion into your leadership, make a habit of asking one simple question whenever you engage with anyone: how can I help this person have a better day? ● To hear Potential Project discuss this topic in more detail, join us at our Members’ Breakfast on 21 May Rasmus Hougaard is the founder and managing director of Potential Project, a global leadership and organisational development firm serving Microsoft, Accenture, Cisco and hundreds of other organisations.

He is the author of The Mind of the Leader – How to Lead Yourself, Your People and Your Organisation for Extraordinary Results with HBR Press in March 2018.

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Tradition is history Disruption is the law of tomorrow The rules of business and society have changed.

85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet.

How will you embrace the opportunities?

Discover the companies rewriting tomorrow, today at theleap.mishcon.com

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