Be Open!

At the crack of dawn this morning, I was having a conversation about being open with my best friend Gayle.

Off she had gone at 6 o’clock to a work out with her body in mind only to find that the she and her exercise instructor had business interests in comman. They got talking and are now looking at how they can cross refer each others businesses with ideal clients already in mind. Here is the thing, they were both open to opportunities where ever they might arise.

Being open doesn’t mean that you walk around with a sign on your head saying “Hey look at me I’m open!”. What is does mean is that you are willing to look for possibilities and opportunities regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Some people feel that business opportunities can only be found in business focused events, this is simply not true. You can find that your business interests are aligned with anyone, anywhere. It just depends on how will you are to ask questions, answer them and look for best fits.

Being open doesn’t mean that you attack everyone you meet with your business offering. It does mean, however, that when you get that urge in your gut that says “go on say something” or that tingle that says “ahh something might fit here” or any such sparkle that gets your curiosity going or your fear of rejection buds dancing… just go for it. Ask, inquire, inform and go for gold! It could be a new client or supplier, career or job, a mentor or coach, a new friend or access to that bit of information you’ve had problems getting hold of… being open means that all these options and more have a better chance of getting to you.

Be open to the opportunities around you today, don’t look at your problem, look for the solutions they are already in place and people and organisations are just waiting for you to be open!

On Being Me!

I know I’ve said it before, but I have to say it again, over the last few years I have been on a huge self development journey and it has been a huge learning curve for me about myself, my interactions with other and who I really am.

This week another learning came into play, I realised that I can be easily swayed to go with the flow of someone else when things are going well, but when I get brought back to earth with a bump I remember the cold hard facts that had kept me on the straighten and narrow before got distracted. It happens in business when someone comes along with a lucrative offer that looks like it will make you lots of money, it’s a deal that you just can’t refuse or so they say and you’d be a fool not to go for it. Is it lucrative? most probably but… does it fall in line with who you are and what you do? most probably not! But the thing that really catches you is the opportunity to make that extra money and so you try it.

Funnily enough it is almost inevitable that to be successful in this new idea, this new venture you need to be committed and the more you go down it’s road the more you realise it is just not for you and that you are not committed because it does not align with your passion, your purpose and your goals. It’s called going off your straight and narrow!!

Very soon you find yourself having to pull out of the new venture and having to go back to basics and revisit your vision and your goals . This very same thing happened to me this week is a slightly tweeked way. But the same kind of problem with the same kind of outcomes. It happens with relationships as well! So what I have I learned?

1: No matter how good it sounds if it is not in line with who I am, my values and what my focus is, then it is not for me.

2: My opinion is valid and I should not allow someone else’s to crowd out mine.

3: It’s important that I be who I am, regardless of the expectations that others place on me.

4: Life is too short to live it the way someone else wants me to.

5: It’s OK to say no.

This week I have had to step out and say “Stop” and then turn around and go back to the road I should I have been on. The one that is “my” road. This week I remembered that I am ME!..  not who someone else wants me to be … and that is all right!

What are companies afraid of? Surveys!

Good old fashioned feedback is a great way to find out vital information that can help your business grow. When you ask your customers honest questions which don’t lead them to only positive answers you can really gain some gems of information that can revolutionize your business. Sadly many companies today are afraid of that kind of feedback which puts the customer in the drivers seat.

We are not often sure of what we will get back from our customers and so as we are often afraid of the unknown, we stay not knowing. I’ve worked with a number of companies to whom I have suggested that a survey was a good way to go. They had kicked and screamed about surveying their clients with excuses including lack of funds, lack of time, lack of man power to decipher the findings and many more. Often the real reason fro their reluctance is that old chestnut… fear. Fear that clients may not say what they want to hear, fear of criticism, fear that they may not be able to fix the problems that arise from the feedback they get. FEAR!!

Well as Susan Jeffers says “Feel the Fear and do it Anyway” There is so much to be gained from the honesty of our clients, we learn why we may be turning them off our products and services and how to turn them back on again. We get great ideas on how to improve our business and offerings, we find out what we are doing well so that we can implement the same ethos in other areas of our business. We gain knowledge and data and in business, apart from cash flow, data is king! With great data you can better fill your clients needs and keep on filling them so that you have consistent business and loyal customers providing you with the essential cash flow you need for a successful business . Imagine writing to a client who filled in honestly worded survey and gave you a great idea for a product, service or delivering your business better, when they receive that letter just imagine how much more they will want to use your service/products over your competition and recommend you.

Surveying works and works well, when honestly created and the answer/responses are openly received and where necessary acted on. Try it… go on you know you really want to.

Customer Service and the Credit Crunch

Yesterday I found myself driving my girls around some of the little villages surrounding Watford. It was a beautiful day and since my daughter is currently on crutches I decided that country lanes were the best thing for us. It really was a beautiful spring day and it got me thinking about my garden and how I could make the best of it so that my summer months were delightful.

I happened across a garden store which was a business run from home. It had some really beautiful plants in that I could see making a real difference in my garden. I started walking down the aisle of plants and was in awe at the different varieties of plants, herbs and trees available. I came across  some heather which I though would be great for my garden as I wanted something that could spread over the boarders but still look pretty. So I embarked on asking the person who appeared to run the centre for some help.

Hmm, well yes he did answer my question but what was missing was good old customer service. In these times of credit crunch you can’t afford to lose an interested customer… well maybe he could… After answering my questions he proceeded to have a chat with his friend and completely ignored me. I decided it was time to leave and continue my amble around the countryside with my girls.

In short he lost a sale, I chose not to buy. He never really engaged with me, he never asked me what I was trying to achieve in my garden, or suggested what could work, he never offered to show me any other alternative to the heather. I had made it clear that I was looking for something that grew quite quickly, unfortunately he never picked up on it. I had asked if he had debit card facilities and he had said yes… My goodness man, that was a buying signal if ever I’ve heard one. Opportunity knocked and opportunity was lost.

Especially in these times it is important to make your customers feel that there business is important to you. You never know who your customer could know or  who and what they are responsible for, for all the garden centre man knew I could have been the buyer for a larger garden centre. When customers are holding on tighter to their money, businesses need to be alert to the clients buying signals and seize on them with care and consideration for nervous buyers.

I’m not sure that I will ever buy from that garden centre, it seems that they were not interested in my custom and as a result I am no longer interested in their business offering. If you run your own business or work within the sales environment, remember that your customers are people who want to make wise decisions and sometimes need help to decipher how your offering fits into their need.

Are You Hungry?

My favourite children’s book is called The Very Hungry Caterpillar, when I see it in book stores I always want to purchase it again even though I know I already have two copies already stashed away at home. What is it about this book that holds my attention and makes me smile every time I see it wanting to read it again and again? You know what it is? It is the layers of learning that come from such a simple book.

The story is of a caterpillar who over the course of 7 days eats more and more food and eventually becomes so fat that it cannot move. The caterpillar becomes a chrysalis and then turns into a beautiful butterfly.

For children, the learn the seven days of the week and counting and various foods and so much more, but I got to thinking about this story and how it relates to life’s journey. I turn 40 this year and I am excited abut what the other half of my life holds for me, I realise that I have been on the journey of the caterpillar for all of the first 40 years of my life and right now I am ready to fly.

So here is the learning for me and for other adults out there who may be wondering when their change is going to come.

1. It takes time to develop who you are, your beliefs, values and most importantly what your purpose is.
2. Your experiences feed you with knowledge, understanding, skills, resources and resilience. You gain maturity through experience.
3. We are never given more than we can handle. The Very Hungry Caterpillar eats more food each day increasing exponentially only by one item each day until just before it goes it’s its metamorphosis I have learned that just before your change comes one is expected to handle a larger obstacle than ever experienced before. However you have been gearing up to this so that you can handle it.
4. There is a time when we need to stop and take stock of where we are and make changes. Where we find out who we really are. This may feel like we are not moving forward even though we are ready for change. However, like a fine wine we are maturing waiting for the right time to burst and delight ourselves and others.
5. It is only when we have gone through this process that we can emerge as a beautiful butterfly embracing all that we have learnt and continue to learn and stepping wholly and fully into our purpose without. This is when we truly realise the value of everything that we have been through before.

Here’s the thing… in order to get to being a beautiful butterfly you’ve got to be hungry.

You Just Be You

I know I’ve been quiet for quite some time, blogging only here on there, but whilst I have been absent I have been travelling on my self discovery journey which inevitably is not over yet. I have learnt so much about myself and at the same time accepted so much more about me. I’ve learned to trust my instincts better and even more importantly I have learned to extend to myself grace.

If you watch television you will find lots of wanna be’s, look alikes and copy cats, you will also find lots of adverts impressing on you how you should look, what you should eat, or wear or what car to buy and over and over again images are being impressed on us of who we should be. The truth is you should just be you, regardless of your weight, height, dress send or career, it’s important that you accept yourself just the way you are. If there is any need to change that should be lead by your desire to the the best that YOU can be not the best that someone else prescribed for you.

It takes some real forgiveness to accept yourself and to be happy with who you are, whilst there are some things that I would really live to develop about myself and work on I can truly say that I am happy with me. It’s from this standpoint that I can move forward, allowing myself to be all that I can be with out reservation and self criticism that often hampers that success that I should be experiencing. I’ve learnt to challenge my underdog who tells me that I can’t do some thing or that I’m not good enough, slim enough, tall enough (insert your own) and remind myself of all I have achieved and are capable of achieving.

My dad died when I was ten years old, way back in 1979 when bereavement counselling wasn’t fashionable and when you just got on with it, my mum has been suffering with dementia in the form of Alzheimers for the last 10 years and it has been really very hard going. But!!! and this really is a big but… what I has really hit me in the face is that whilst these things have affected me Life is for the Living and tomorrow is not promised so it’s time to seize today. It’s time to live enjoying who I am not wishing away the skills and qualities I have in the desire to be like someone else. It’s time to recognise that I am enough and that what I have to offer is just as good as the next person if not better. We can either let our life experiences push us forward or allow them to take us down.  I am who I am a woman who is multi-skilled, multi-faceted, with amazing prospects.

If I can be me and love me then you can just be you.

Don’t believe the hype

Recently I’ve had to really reassess what it is I want to do with my life or should I say my working life. Business development comes very naturally to me. Sit down in front of me and tell me about your business and inevitably I am able to help you find ways to reach your goals, focus better and maximise your business offering.

But I have had to ask myself… where does my passion life Madeline McQueen? And when I really thought about it, it comes with empowering people… women especially and helping them be the best that they can be. I’m passionate about helping them find the solutions to their problems whether that be making the best of their appearance finding the career that they want to be in or working on their relationships. It’s about helping them feel great and be great!!

So many times we follow a path because others tell us it is what we should be doing or we do so to be understood by and fit in with society. It’s just not necessary to do so! I realised that amidst all that I do work wise I have still be questioning if what I do is a legitimate job… why? Well something to do with not working 9 – 5 and having a payslip with the same amount of money in it each month! It’s silly I know, but I wonder just how many people out there who work for themselves or run their own businesses question their validity just because it doesn’t comform to the… “get a job” expectation that is placed on us from children.

So this morning, I say don’t believe the hype, be who you are and if that is not encompassed under one title… so what!! We are all many things and cannot be defined by the badge that someone else places on us. And so over the coming weeks you will find changing in my blog as I write about the varying sides of what I offer as a person and a business.

Step out into who you are and enjoy the journey…

Are You Accountable?

It’s a questions that many people feel uncomfortable with. Whilst we like to think that we are accountable for our actions and words we live in a culture that blames everything and anything on everyone else. Gun crime, overspending,  a lack of discretion, children’s behaviour, racial inequality, a mistake at work, you name it and it’s someone elses’ fault.

One of the sign’s of maturity is when you are able to take responsibility for your actions (I emphase your actions not everyone elses’) without the “buts” and be accountable. Corporate environments are often a nest bed for blame culture and then many who work on their own often blame the market, the business and everyone else for their failure often ignoring the fact that it is their own actions and decisions that have determined their demise.  We see it in recent child abuse cases where all the parties involved in the case blamed each other for not doing enough. When will it end?

When we take accountability and responsibility for our actions we don’t ever need to look over are shoulders wondering when we will be caught out. We live and thrive in reality because we know what we are and what we are not capable of. We don’t need anyone else to be our crutch and don’t spend our time lying to ourselves about our responsibility in the events of our lives.  When we take responsibility for ourselves constructive criticism is  much easier to swallow as we are not too surprised by it’s conclusions, we already know where our weaknesses lie. Life is just that bit easier because we don’t have to waste energy attempting to believe our own lies to ourselves.

So as you go the events of your day today as yourself… am I accountable?

The Apprentice: About time too and all!!

Well thank goodness sense has at last prevailed!!! I just couldn’t bare to blog about The Apprentice over the last two weeks as it has been too painful. I am sure that this has been the worse set of candidates yet (I’m sure I’ve said that before). I have felt that Sir Allan made some wrong decisions and the conduct of some of the candidates absolutely appaulling.

Lee McQueen was on of my favourites (not because of the name!!) until last weeks uncalled for outburst on Sara. He was not the only one, I felt like she was outcast based on race, that her ideas because they were more cultural were dismissed and that she as a person was being dismissed as a second class citizen, called lazy for no other reason than she was of asian decent. That was how it made me feel and speaking to my Apprentice buddy Diva, she felt the same. Helena showed her vindictive side yet again and Raef, who has been endearing himself to me week after week, really showed why he stands out from the rest. The previous week Claire for me did not deserve to win and Lucinda showed her complete and utter talent for management. Lindi took the heat for really what Jen should have taken the heat for and Michael yet again proved that he is not ready for real decision making. Jenny yet again showed her complete inability to be humane and Kevin showed that selling really isn’t his skill as he was completely blinded by Jenny.

All that said Sir Allan made the right decisions this week. Jenny has feasted in the boardroom on the plight of others colding using derogative about another team member to make her escape. This week…. at long last… Sir Allan caught her full on and expelled her from the boardroom. Jen tried to fight by discrediting others, she should have extolled her own merits, she may have stayed, but like Lindi she too is only a sales person.

This week a number of people showed their true colours, Nick complimented Lucinda and Sara (at last some recognition for them), Claire proved again that she is a problem team member, Raef stood out as one of the most decent apprentice’s, Lee showed that he is very excitable and not always able to hold his swearing in check, Michael proved what a sleaze bag he really is and that he is actually a mouse for all of his bolshy arrogance and Alex is once again attempting to wait out till the end.

What a nightmare!!!

I think that we are close to having the cream of this crop left on the show but Michael needs to go and I still feel that Helena is missing some vital skills. It is possible that Claire is a diamond in the rough but she needs some serious work. Lucinda might not be as forthright as she needs to be to get the job and the same goes for Sara, that leaves Raef and Lee… at time point I’d take Raef extended dictionary and all at this stage.

Roll on next week…..

The Apprentice: Poor, poor, poor

Yet another shambles, with candidates setting each other up to fail and the crux of the task being left to flounder. What a mess and what a bunch of horrible people! (A little judgemental I know)

Tonight, my dislike of Claire increased as she did it again, bullying Simon and being her usual horrible self, two faced self. The apologies just did not do it for me. I truly believed that she would be a great candidate when I first saw her and I thought that she might make a great Apprentice. Unless she does something pretty spectacular in the coming weeks I think that she might just be out on her ear. The thing is I think that she might actually be a good project leader, she seems to have a decent business brain, but her interpersonal skills really let her down. You have to get people on board to manage a team effectively, but she spends so much time undermining and back stabbing her team members that she has already lost the plot.  It was interesting to see the look on Michaels face when she returned to the house.

Poor Simon, he really didn’t have much of a chance, from the time that he put himself forward that had already decided that they would not support him effectively… and they didn’t. His style of management left a lot to be desired however, he was a man fighting to be heard. He knew that he had a team that didn’t believe in him and that treated him like the village idiot. He just wanted a little respect as PM and they were not willing to give it to him.

Interestingly, those in Simon’s team were very willing to take anyone as a scape goat and as soon as Claire became a possibility you saw both Jenny and Alex jump on her, to her horror! What goes around….

Helene this week completely and utterly fell off her pedastool, I was looking forward to seeing her as a PM and knew that she would be quite good at organsing the team. However, and it’s a big however, she became very Jennyesq when dealing with Lucinda. What is it about Lucinda that the girls go out of their way put her in a predicament that sets her up to be fired. Jenny did it the first week and Helene most definitely did it this week.

Lucinda made is very clear that she is a technophobe, painstakingly clear. (Now what a technophobe is doing looking to work for a man who runs a number of technology companies I’ll never know!). From what I have seen Lucinda can sell or at least get the general public interested, she’s got all the humanism’s going and yet every week she is placed in her area of weakness. They talk to her in the most terrible ways and whilst she might come across as lazy (which I don’t actually think she is by the way) no one is maximising her or her skill set.

Yes it’s a competition but to stay in the competition you need to stay out of the boardroom which means winning the task which means working together and playing to every one’s strengths.  It seems to me that in this season of The Apprentice that important fact seems to have been forgotten. The focus seems to be “Set people up to be fired” before you’ve even started the task furthermore reached the boardroom.

I am finding this session, very poor indeed, poor candidated, poor attitude and even poor decisions by Sir Allen. What a shame.