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Why it is so Important to Surround Yourself with the Right People!
Ashley Burgess-Payne • April 14, 2020
Even before joining the mastermind process I always knew that I wanted to do something different, something more than just average. I wanted to achieve more for myself, something that was mine and not your regular 9-5. I felt like I had the potential (somewhere), the problem was I didn’t know how or where to begin; how to utilise myself and my time effectively in order to see the greatest returns. I was working hard, but not smart. All of this led to much frustration which eventually manifested itself in a state of despondency and a feeling of, ‘what’s the point!’. I was drifting – doing ‘okay’, but feeling unfulfilled and unenthusiastic about my work. But, taking the plunge and surrounding myself with like minded business owners things have improved drastically.
The mastermind process has been life transforming for me. It has given me the confidence to implement my own personal and professional development programme into the law firm Parfitt Cresswell, with plans on expanding this further in the coming months. But, most importantly, it has given me the initiative and freedom to go after and do what I love. On top of this I have also played an integral roll in the creation of this new venture, Connectionsb2b – which I am extremely excited and enthusiastic to share with you all.
I’d heard the term mastermind banded around on numerous occasions and it’s always intrigued me, but I was hesitant to pursue it initially. I mean, who was I to sit in a room of brilliant minds and exceptionally talented entrepreneurs – what did I have to offer? Like anything new and unknown, there was doubt. Something I spoke with Teresa Payne about in great depth before taking the leap. It was on one of these phone calls that I realised this was a golden opportunity and one I didn’t want to miss.
From the very start any doubt I had was instantly laid to rest and by the end of the first meeting it was apparent that I was in the right place. I had joined an invigorating and mentally stimulating environment with like-minded individuals that would assist me in developing myself and a plan for progressing my career and business acumen.
What I love about it, is the openness, honesty and integrity within such a group. This environment really gets your creative juices flowing and more importantly, your mind thinking at a much deeper level into yourself and your business. Surrounded by a community of other entrepreneurs thinking into whatever it is you choose to bring to the table, you are gifted with the opportunity to see things from almost every vantage point. On top of this, the opportunity to utilise decades and decades of business knowledge, experience and foresight means you are challenged with thought provoking questions and discussion. Plans are analysed, assessed, reviewed and reevaluated, stripped down and rebuilt, bigger and better than before, thus ensuring you have all bases covered going forward. You really do get the benefit of having a fellow entrepreneur and expert in a specific field look into your business and your situation in depth. It’s something that is priceless.
It amazed me how my peers were able to see things that I couldn’t. What appeared so obvious to them was clouded in my mind. But, through an objective eye and with a wealth of understanding I was able to work through and uncover what it was I wanted to achieve and develop a plan that was going to get me the results I wanted.
This is not to say that the process is all plain sailing. Like anything worth doing, it has its challenges and at times it will take you outside of your comfort zone. But, this is exactly where you need to be, this is what stimulates growth and improvement. It pushes you! Being able to touch base on a regular basis not only allows you to bounce ideas off of one another, it also keeps you focused, on track and motivated. You also build up a useful catalogue of ideas and information as everyone contributes and shares what it is they are doing, learning and finding beneficial.
You cannot help but benefit from being surrounded by an array of expertise from numerous fields of work. The breadth of knowledge is a definite bonus and a price cannot be put on how valuable and useful this is. Everyone in the group has their own unique areas of expertise and experience, and to be able to learn from others and identify the pitfalls they have experienced without having to go through it yourself, allows you to plan ahead more effectively and grow your business much faster. If ever I have a question, my peer group is my first port of call. I know that the advice and feedback I get will be honest, of significant value and with my best interests at heart. There is no hidden agenda whatsoever and that is a real asset and this is the real beauty of the process – you have your own unique inner circle of other like-minded individuals, go-getters, striving for more who you can contact at anytime.
Put simply, you are able to utilise the skills of other business owners for the benefit of you and your business on a regular and ongoing basis and in return you do the same!.
In closing, since beginning this journey I have greater clarity, increased focus, seemingly more time as I am prepared, have a plan and know what I should be doing and how I should be utilising my time to achieve a greater return. But, most importantly for me, the process has given me greater enjoyment and fulfilment. I am now loving what I do and am able structure my life so that things work for and around me.
This process will push you to become clear on your ambitions, clear on your potential and assist you in achieving the success and fulfilment you want, plus much more. It really is an empowering experience – one that will change you and your business for the better.
Welcome to Connectionsb2b – Enjoy the the growth.
LinkedIn is a key channel for personal branding, so your LinkedIn profile is the launchpad to building a strong professional network. The channel is also the place to be if you wish to continue relationships of key people you meet at zoom networking events allowing you to easily stay in touch after making the effort to attend the meeting. As well as being the touchstone for nurture and lead generation a well optimised LinkedIn profile is on the same level as making a good first impression when you meet in person. How do you optimise your profile? 1. Make sure you have a current and professional head and shoulders photograph of yourself. You are on the platform to do business so ensure you appear to be there for that reason so a picture with your partner, favourite pet or vehicle doesn’t cut it. It should be a current photograph as it could be embarrassing putting a ten-year-old photo on the platform and when you meet a contact in person you look nothing like your photo so it could end up being a little like a bad first date. Be authentic. 2. Also use Canva.com to create a background image as why miss the opportunity to promote your business. If you have staff on LinkedIn create an image for all of them to use as their background as it’s a little like giving them all a company vehicle with no costs attached. 3. Treat your LinkedIn profile as an online resume and ensure you complete every section – a. The about section – I split this into two sections i. My Background ii. What I Do Now iii. Include an email and phone number at the bottom of this section b. Experience – show at least the last two positions c . Education d. Licences and Certifications e. Skills and Endorsements – You can have 50 of these so put in as many as you can for example if you were a bar person you could include customer service. f. Recommendations – request these from people you know 4. Use keywords in your headline – think of the words you would use if you were looking for your goods or services. 5. Join groups which could be a. Within your industry b. Where your target market is c. Services you have an interest in If you require any help or advise we offer training or talk you through the process via zoom. Blog written by Linda Cloke of We Do Social Media Ltd Contact: Linda@wedosocialmedia.co.uk or call 07769943756
According to the Health & Safety Executive, over 11 million workdays are lost each year due to stress at work! The latest Employment Law Bulletin from our sponsors Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors focuses on the topic of stress in the workplace and the actions that employers can take to defend themselves against claims arising from this. In the Employment Law Bulletin expert Philip Luff covers: • What stress is • The duties of an employer • The potential action that an employee can bring against their employer for work related stress, and offers tips on how employers can best protect themselves against workplace stress claims To read the article and find out more about Stress Related Claims in the workplace click here . If you would like legal advice regarding an Employment Law matter take advantage of Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors’ complimentary initial video/telephone consultation with one of their legal experts. Call 0800 999 4437 or email enquiries@parfittcresswell.com today to arrange your free initial consultation.
This article is brought to you by Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors Extension of the Furlough Scheme (CJRS) On Saturday 31st October the Prime Minister announced a further national lockdown in England to address the increasing rate of Covid-19 infections throughout the UK. This lockdown commenced on 5th November and will remain in place until at least 2nd December 2020. Under the previous tiered ‘local’ lockdown arrangements, the Government had announced two Job Support Schemes which were intended to succeed the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme). These schemes were known as the ‘JSS Closed’, aimed at businesses that had been forced to close under the tiered restrictions and the ‘JSS Open’, a scheme for businesses who although affected by Covid-19, were still able to open. These schemes were due to replace the existing furlough scheme when it ended on 31 October 2020, with the Government support significantly reduced when compared with the original CJRS. However, along with the announcement of a national lockdown throughout November, it was also announced that the CJRS would be extended for a further month. A few days after this, the Chancellor announced that this extension of the furlough scheme would now run until the end of March 2021. As such, the JSS is not likely to resurface until at least April 2021 (if at all). How had furlough changed By way of a reminder, the CJRS has been through several changes since its introduction in March 2020, from the Government initially funding 80% of an employee’s salary up to £2,500, with government support reducing in recent months as restrictions eased. In October 2020, the month before the scheme was due to end, the government contributed 60% of unworked hours up to a cap of £2,187.50, with the employer paying the additional 20% along with employer national insurance and pension contributions. How will the extension work? In simple terms, the extension of the Furlough Scheme puts employers back to the same level of government contributions that were available in August 2020, with the Government funding 80% of eligible employees’ salary, but the employer having to contribute both employer national insurance/pension contributions themselves. The current understanding is that the furlough extension will operate largely as it did before, however the following now applies: • The extended scheme will run until 31 March 2021. • The employer or employee are not required to have previously used the CJRS • To be eligible, the employee must have been on the employer’s PAYE payroll by 23.59 on 30 October 2020 and the employer must have made a Real Time Information (RTI) submission for that employee by that date. • The employee can be furloughed either full-time or flexibly (for part of their hours). Employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of seven consecutive calendar days. • The government will pay 80% of eligible wages for any unworked hours, (up to a cap of £2,500) with the employer paying employer NIC and pension contributions on these unworked hours. Employers will need to pay the employees for any hours worked as per usual. • The employer can choose to top up to 100% if they wish but is not obliged to. • The Job Retention bonus for employers (£1,000 for each employee kept on until the end of January 2021) will no longer be able to be claimed in February as planned, but will possibly be introduced at a later date to help avoid the impact of the furlough scheme ending. • The Government will review the scheme in the New Year, so it is still possible that increased employer contributions could be required prior to the end of March. As with all these announcements, further detail and guidance will follow from the government in due course. If you require further legal assistance regarding the CJRS or and other employment law issue, take advantage of our complimentary initial consultation (available via telephone or video call) today by calling 0800 999 4437 or email enquiries@parfittcresswell.com
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