CharlieKenny.me

people * stories * engagement

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about

I love the coast and in particular, the area in which I live, the North East of England. It’s an uncomplicated life, for the past twelve years I’ve been away from the ‘big smoke’ … and the decision to relocate my business to the North has been the best move of my career. So far. I am a writer and have a lifetime of experience in publishing and personal development. I now consider myself a specialist in helping my clients with memoirs – that could entail a biography, or simply bringing diary pages to life. I tend not to advertise my business, word of mouth has always been kind so it’s no surprise that I do spend a couple of days per week networking. Peer collaboration can be very rewarding. Therefore, if you’d like to join me fortnightly for Wednesday ZOOM or either Tuesday or Thursday for (in-person) morning coffee, please get in touch. I’d love to meet you and perhaps help in any way possible. Thank you for stopping by the website. engage, develop, grow … with Go! charliekenny@live.co.uk
  • Forging the business

    Forging the business

    I met with Stephen Lunn recently, an artist who has been part of the family-run business since 1974. The renowned foundry itself operating for over a century.

    During our conversation, I asked Stephen whether he had any business advice, something he may wish to share?

    Stephen thought for a minute before offering the following tips, genuine ‘gold dust’ in my view … fundamental points to pass on to any budding entrepreneur.

    ‘Charlie, there are many lessons my grandad taught me over the years, here are one or two I tend to stick by:

    • Never denigrate the value of someone else’s services or business, certainly not publicly. If you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing at all.
    • If you believe that a potential client proposition is wrong, then let them know why by advising them accordingly.
    • Quality, a job well done, should always take precedence over time. There’s always seems to be time for a re-do!
    • Make it special. Try not to compare your client’s project to similar work …
    • Recommend others if you cannot complete a project. Share your connections.

    Any of the above sound familiar?

    ‘Why are the above points so important?’ I hear you say?

    Life is a circle.

    Over the years I’ve found that what goes around, comes around. If you generate bad news you tend to be described by others in the same way. In the same way, by supplying only quality service or products, we’re positioning ourselves as a valuable provider and by making the ‘customer experience’ a special one, we’re more readily referrable. Likewise, by recommending an alternative provider of specific services we’re doing our reputation no harm at all.

    In all aspects of life, we reap as we sow, and I’m a firm believer in that business should be a rewarding experience for all concerned, especially today!

    Not forgetting … if we share smile, we’re generally receiving a smile in return.  

    People buy from people who they know, like and trust.

    Thank you for the reminder, Stephen.

  • A handful of skills …

    A handful of skills …

    You don’t need formal qualifications to be a great salesperson, really you don’t. You simply need to learn what to do with the fundamentals.

    Qualification (or studious credential) in a specific cause, subject or topic will bring you certain hard-won skills, although I firmly believe the traits of the exceptional salesperson is inherent, characteristic.

    The diplomae are a fabulous confirmation of studious intent and the degree certainly confirms commitment to the cause. Although … while intention and commitment are attributes that anyone looking for success should possess, there are but a handful of skills we all possess, already resident in our DNA which, in my view should be observed.

    Here are a few of that handful …

    We should be genuine, credible

    As a people person, we should have empathy

    Our engagement should be generous in time, considerate in offer

    We need to understand that discussion is two-way, time spent in conversation

    With some/all of the above, success comes by also remembering that we have a better chance of attaining exceptional results, when offering our prospects the courtesy with which we would expect ourselves.

    Being a representative of the very best that you provide takes application, time. The excellence we seek comes from the repetition of certain life skills cultivated over a given period. Sure, the diploma, the qualifications we’ve worked so hard for are a great starting point, although the real, meaningful lessons come from spending time with peers, those who understand that people buy from people and that it’s not necessarily what you have to offer, but how you relate.

    So, how to reap the rewards of a hard-won qualification?

    Practice what you preach.

  • grateful for the vision

    grateful for the vision

    Like most, I’ve had plenty of time recently to reflect on lessons of the past twelve months. More importantly, I’ve realised I’m in a very fortunate situation, a new (better) year is ahead of me, I have some great people in my circle and a vision to take me forward. I’m grateful.

    One of my first tasks during the holiday was to clear that path that takes me forward. I’ve been making a concerted effort to remove some of those ‘unseen’ obstructions that seem to hinder any kind of progress.

    The time thieves.

    I started with email and I must be honest, logging on after a few days felt a chore. The inbox was carrying assorted offers, most of it promising my exclusive part of the brave new world, there were exclusive ‘deals’ if I order now plus of course the ubiquitous offer of help with my SEO – from several different ‘connections’ representing the same company!

    Time for a clear-out.

    The process started out as a tedious distraction ‘though soon became a kind of rewarding therapy … spending the best part of the day ‘unsubscribing’ and severing links with any kind of new year distraction. I followed up on the ‘valid stuff’ and prioritised the written ‘to do’ list for January (yes, I still keep a list!) I’m keeping in touch with my connections of course and all the while I’m making the mental note to answer those holiday cards …

    ‘Social’ media is another story.

    The routine is just that now. Each new season, at the start of ‘every quarter’ I find I learn a lot from my aforementioned clear-out. I’m giving myself space, clearing the path to visualise the route, qualifying what I need to do if I am to go further in pursuit of my goals. 

    By sticking to a modicum of routine I’m creating the freedom required to see the future.

    By following-up, I’m also making myself referrable by being seen as a reliable business connection.

    ‘people buy from people’

  • I see you!

    I see you!


    I was interested to learn recently that, according to a recent Deloitte survey, 59% of consumers say they have  increased their usage of local services and retailers. (< link)

    With this shift towards local business offering greater support to the surrounding economies, it certainly seems good business sense to play a proactive role in supporting community-level enterprise don’t you think?

    Here’s one way to participate.

    … especially during this time of lock-down and considering many of our potential ‘customers,’ work from home, it needs little explanation that the priority should see us all ensuring our online presence is attractive, fresh and engaging …

    Tough times also call for bold decisions by stepping away from the relative ‘comfort’ of the online world (when possible,) so introducing your solutions in-person should be encouraged. Why? Because even more so today, personal business relationships are hugely important and it’s not simply those well-established local ‘cornerstone industries’we should be approaching either …  

    According to “New Business Start-Ups”there are an expected 85000 new businesses established in the UKby the end of 2020. For any would-be entrepreneur, engaging the like-minded local establishments shouldn’t be dismissed. After all, developing close allies and affinity, better understanding through relationships are the type of associations that turned the one-time small business start-up into the ‘cornerstone industries’we see thriving today.

    People buy from people.

    Not forgetting, it’s not all the furthest, most sparkling horizons hold the richest of rewards. Try to imagine what may be right in front of you, by reaching out. Simply introduce your own local services, define your offer and invite the engagement. By lowering the ‘horizon of expectation’ and engaging local we’re creating opportunity when that local needs arise. With our own genuinely local flavour, our prospects see the worth of association and we become more readily referrable. More business at a lower cost.

    Of course, readily referrable means we’re seen as a reliable business connection, the reputation grows and over time, the horizons for business broaden organically as the reputation sells for you.

    A new business can be challenging during tough times although you are never alone and just now (right now!) the opportunities are enormous, we simply need to embrace the change and be prepared to adjust the expectation for when our prospects need us and …

    Fly the flag for your business.

  • Be like Mr Costas

    Be like Mr Costas

    I received sad news recently that an old friend, someone I had known for years, had passed away. The news was entirely out of the blue (as most sudden deaths are) and when I was asked how I best remembered my buddy Mal, I immediately thought of how much he gave.

    Mal was the type of fellow who had time for everyone, for me he will always be remembered as a guy who gave time (no matter how busy) to each and everyone he met along the way …

    Do you know many people like that?

    I remember one family holiday to Greece, we’d flown to arrive mid-afternoon and the sunshine was blisteringly hot. The queue for the cab (all of 3 minutes) to our designated hotel was even becoming tedious – what else did I expect? Midday … in Greece??

    So, our cab arrives, driver relieves us of luggage and the three of us jump into the car – immediately the driver opens an icebox on the front seat and produces three perfectly chilled, gratefully received drinks – ‘relax,’ he says, ‘we’re only ten minutes away … and the pool is good where you are staying.’

    After ten animated, informative minutes, we reached our destination. Again, insistently in charge of luggage Costas (we’re on first-name terms by now,) duly escorted us to the reception, introducing us to our hosts (his mother and father) and upon completing registration, he politely offered his card and suggested … ‘ if there is anything you want during your stay, just call me.’

    ‘Perhaps you would like a suggestion of where to dine with your family during your stay?’

    Our short stay in Greece became known as ‘5 days with Mr Costas’ … someone who went out of his way to understand, engage his audience.

    As it happens, we did take up his offer of recommendation to dining. He’d directed us to a local taverner run by a close family friend … his sister. In fact we found the experience so irresistible we returned each evening before our eventual departure to the airport … via Mr Costas, luggage hauled and inclusive of in-car refreshments.

    So, back at ‘the office’ when asked:

    ‘How was the break? Meet any good people? Was it anywhere you would recommend?‘

    Mr Costas had done his job, given his time and made us feel special, just like Mal had done during the time I’d known him.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou.

  • the culture of simple

    the culture of simple

    Simple goals make for a clear path. The clear path brings the simple goal within reach. With clear, simple messages we’re understood.

    So why do so many networkers make it difficult to refer them?

    While we’ve all been affected by global challenges these past few months … Covid and social distancing, Brexit indecision, global uncertainty, electoral denial etc., etc. Don’t you think it makes good sense to maintain the focus on the simpler things, the kind of stuff that makes us happy? 

    If we can.

    What makes me happy?  I’m at my most comfortable in the company of those who talk straight, know what they want and who are not ‘backwards about coming forward’ when it comes to asking for help or support.

    Because this makes it easier for me to help them.

    Here’s a question I was asked recently, right after I’d invited Alison to our regular business meeting:

    Charlie, you make it sound simple although I’m an introvert and I find it difficult to simply step out of my comfort zone. It’s all very well having the right strategy, the tools going forward but what if some of us, people like me don’t understand the culture?

    Alison was right. Not everyone enjoys the spotlight. Some business owners are lucky enough to be able to employ others to ‘front’ the company, promote/sell through different media.

    Yes, we’re all different, Alison is right, although we all need people. 

    The best way to understand the culture of any community or environment, Alison is to spend time experiencing the very thing that challenges you. The discomfort soon passes with the understanding that each person you meet, at some point, faced the same doubts, asked themselves this very same question:

    ‘How do I excel if I don’t understand the path, the culture?’

    If we believe in ourselves, practice the engagement, focus on keeping the messages simple … and allow the trust to develop, then ultimately the ‘culture shock’ becomes a distant memory.

    So, now that we know each other a little better, if you’re ready to meet Alison and understand why people buy from people, then please join us – any Wednesday from midday … via ZOOM.

    Weeklybiz. Keeping culture simple.

  • Small steps, BIG gains

    Small steps, BIG gains

    My friends and I are meeting regularly to discuss the world, changing times, the business opportunity and maybe, where we can help and lots of other ‘stuff’ in-between.

    By meeting regularly, via ZOOM we’re able to keep ‘ahead of the game’ with a short-cut to solutions provided through trusted relationships.

    Around a dozen meet for a little over an hour on any Wednesday, 12.30 (make it for midday if you’d like a one-to-one with me before the meeting) otherwise, Thursday from 8 am is once per month. (London GMT.)

    Regular engagement … small steps.

    Join us in conversation. All you need is the ability to go online & log on!

    The meetings are structured, it’s FREE to attend and once you confirm participation I’ll mail you a link directly to the meeting ‘room’ … then it’s time to step away from the regular routine.

    Interested? That’s great! Simply let me know (respond via email – that’s me at the foot of the page – or reach out via telephone 01665 577084 … otherwise please use the contact form! )

    We look forward to meeting you, listening to your views, having a chat, learning about the business.

    charliekenny@live.co.uk ~ +441665 577084 ~ weeklybiz@outlook.com

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  • To-do, or not …

    To-do, or not …

    I know, it’s tough keeping the ‘to-do’ list in check during these distracting times, let alone the ‘bigger picture.’ although that should always be top of the list … where do I wish to go and how am I going to get there?

    The humble to-do list will keep us on track for the more straight-forward tasks, planning for growth though, to a particularly flat market, during times like now, when we’re looking for other influences offering clarity and opportunity can be … challenging!  

    (Is that a strong enough word??)

    Most of you know I enjoy the company of peers, I keep a handful of like-minded people close through regular get-togethers and I find the regular conversation helps enormously with the vision – the ‘bizability.’

    I do understand that some people can’t see my routines working for them. I hear it … they just don’t make themselves available … ‘peers? I haven’t got time to stop work and simply chat. Business vision? I’m too busy to dream Charlie, I’m busy chasing my next best customer, new business.’

    For some, they’re too tied up in the business to work on the dream, the BIGGER stuff.. 

    Here’s what I see as utopia in the brave new world …

    How about a community for the future, good-will to form part of the fundamental fabric of generations? 

    We’ll be ourselves valued, more appreciative of our close friends, more understanding of diversity, enabling a caring society for the well-being of all, eco-environment and community neighbours alike.

    With advanced A.I., we would become more aware of ‘what’s possible for us,’ the BIGGER picture, perhaps independent, accountable governance, county boundaries focusing more on keeping local people safe, working on inclusive, sharing prosperity to benefit all. 

    We may even see ownership REPLACED by custodianship with less material values becoming commonplace. Each local business incentivised through belonging, cherished.

    The ‘home’ county would be self-governed by a co-operative, supported by the popular vote. Trading in traditional, local expertise as well as the future opportunity by sustaining inter-county partnerships.

    I dream universal freedom to travel to and from each county COVID free without concerns for health.  International travel would depend on the greater understanding of universal passports when each partner (like-minded country) would be able to support the visitor to the same level of understanding as their home ‘status.’

    Sounds right huh?  Pie in the sky?  Perhaps … what about you?

    Just now though, it’s tough to be in a position to enjoy the dreamed-up utopia, although there’s one thing for sure … if we don’t embrace change, if we don’t dream BIG, don’t imagine, we won’t see the benefits.

    Put dream on the to-do list.

    Dream BIG.

  • So, what do you see?

    So, what do you see?

    ‘Bob, what’s on your mind? You look puzzled.’

    ‘How do you see the community of the future Charlie?’

    It was a question I wasn’t prepared for although I wanted to give the answer some consideration. After all, the past few months had been a roller coaster.

    Until recently Bob had a steady, well-paid job in A.I., only to be laid off like many others due to Covid … and just now he wasn’t sure whether he wanted the old position back.

    ‘We all worry about livelihood, of course, the close family Charlie, if we listened to what the city folk tell us we’ll all be subservient cyborg drones in the not too distant. All driven by ‘bots.’

    Bob had very nearly become a product of his own industry and I could see this worried my friend as we sat to discuss a series of short-stories driven on his past experiences …

    ‘Community very much depends on the calibre of the people for me Bob. Community is a result of close relations with those sharing similar beliefs, values. This is what I know.’

    ‘Agreed, but … what do you now see Charlie?‘

    ‘As it happens Bob, I ‘bumped into’ one of the near-neighbours at the local grocery this morning. I’d caught her fleeting glance as she looked up from the ‘news’ paper and routinely greeted the face with my brightest of muffled, masked ‘good mornings’ … 

    Not taking her eyes from the broadsheet she replied … ‘More bad news, poor kids in school, such a mess, hospitals underfunding, more restrictions and lock-down. When do we get our life back?

    The next few minutes were spent discussing what was different for us, the people that we don’t see anymore, the change in routines – plus of course the lack of general freedom of movement. We ‘covered’ the doctors’ appointments online, shopping via google, self-drive vehicles, Christmas on-line and the life that was before … we both walked away moderately sated, happy for the opportunity to ‘rant.’

    So, I see the time now is for making simple decisions Bob, we either follow the guidelines laid down to enable us control over the virus and so preserve communities as we know them – or we risk the rout of neighbourhoods and the new generation of non-conformance.  What do you think?‘

    ‘Choices yes, but I see great opportunity, Charlie, a burgeoning free-thinking environment for the entrepreneur is rare. I’m excited about the future of stronger communities, those with common values and stronger ties all borne out of the challenges Covid has offered us all.‘

    ‘So, it’s not about getting the life back?‘

    ‘It’s about being patient Charlie, the landscape of the future will be different to ‘old life’ – I see the future as ‘old life with bells on,’ our collective community responsibility is to support and empower the new generation when embracing the opportunities coming our way, getting the new life back, in the very near future.’

  • a routine change

    a routine change

    Hello friends, how was your week?

    For me? It was a mix of meeting up, engaging with new potential clients and following up on existing projects, one project, in particular, is the Business Start-Up next Wednesday and I’m really looking forward to hosting this with more of the same interaction, conversing new faces and one or three (not so) old-uns!

    Why not come along? It’d be great to meet you, “in person,” via Zoom. Why not?

    So this morning I changed my routine and made a conscious decision to step out with the dog. I mean, I’m often out with Dusty Dawg (D.D.) – usually, before my day ‘starts’ although today was special, it’s D.D’s birthday (11th) and so it was an extra-long, special walk as we traipsed down to the favoured spot by the sea.

    D.D. paradise destination!

    For one reason or another, we haven’t been able to be ‘there’ for a while as it’s been so busy with holidaymakers, families usually (and their dogs) all getting out and sucking up the wonderful air. Giving themselves some justified quality time.

    For most it’s been tough this past year, 2020 will not be remembered as one of the kindest. Annus horribilis I believe ‘the Latinos’ would have called this one …

    But you know what? There is so much opportunity just now for those prepared to reach out for ‘it,’ seeking exactly what they need, realising what drives them.

    The world keeps turning, business operations are opening up and shut down daily and yes, of course, it’s a fact that the current situation with Covid has generated unprecedented hardship and change although with change comes opportunity. With opportunity comes optimism, clarity of vision and when we have the vision we then see what drives us … we’re visualising our goals.

    Like you (and D.D.) I’m just happy we don’t have to wear blindfolds as well …

    D.D. ready for the walk!

    … otherwise we’d never see the opportunity.

    So if you’d like to benefit from the clarity that 20/20 vision can bring your life goals or the business, you’d be most welcome to join us next Wednesday from 12 midday (GMT.)

    No fees. It’s free.

    A change in routine is good for us, we know that already & the opportunity to actually see the benefits that change has brought to others, listening to their learned opinions and then perhaps put some of the lessons of experience into action … all of that can be life-changing!

    We’d love to see you next Wednesday. Let me know if you can make it.

    + thank you for your support!

    Charlie k.