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
I’ve always believed we should be enjoying life, whatever occupies us, wherever we are. After all, life’s too short.
During our lifetime the average person spends a third of their life working. Many people follow a daily routine. From the moment we wake, choices are being made … and I’m sure, like me, you’d choose the less taxing, more pleasurable path over the more challenging.
If we’re lucky enough to have an easy option, that is …
Take for instance a friend of mine, very successful in what she does, I see her at our business catch-up. She’s a charming person and the type of lady who appears to cram in a lot during her day. So busy is her calendar that … ‘How do you do that?’ … is often the catchphrase during conversation.
“I know, she’d reply. I’ve always plenty to do, even before I leave the house in the morning I feel as if I’ve worked a full day … I wish I could make our meeting a regular thing, the grounding does me good. I’m so busy these days.”
“Why not change your plan and rearrange the diary? Make our regular catch-up your most important date … give it a month, and see what happens? I replied.
‘Besides, I continued. Those looking to refer you may find your frantic schedule is a hindrance to them offering you more work?
Why not seek advice … ask a trusted friend how they enjoy success while contending with growth?’
Not forgetting, it’s a great complement to anyone … when you ask their advice.’ “
Some are driven by the apparent urgency of business needs. So much so, we miss out on the real joys of life, working for ourselves. Pleasures such as sharing time in conversation with others? Reminding ourselves we’re never too busy to share a smile? Learning how to juggle the calendar and still have time to smell the roses?
You know, some people appear to have it all … everything but happiness.
I’m at a stage where my ‘business’ tends to run itself. Even though I don’t reflect too much on this landmark, it makes me happy. It’s a destination I’d always hoped I’d arrive at some point.
Life in business is rarely plain sailing …
There was a point not so long ago when I though I’d made another wrong decision …
Ever thought you’d spent too much time on a given arrangement? Or a certain path? Spent too much time playing with marketing trends when you know you should have walked away? Not listened and so spent too much money?
It’s a ‘yes’ from me to all the above..
These ‘trial and error’ situations are common in new business. When some big idea you try fails, it’s tough. It shouldn’t leave regret although I admit, I felt that way plenty of times, I felt I’d let those who trusted in me down. I felt I’d let myself down.
Not guilty.
“Never regret, if it’s good it’s wonderful, if it’s bad, it’s experience – Jean Plaidy.
Today I look back on the tough times and put it down to a learning experience. I don’t allow time for regret, I learn from it and through all those times of doubt … I know I’ve come out stronger. One of life’s wonderful lessons.
Life takes time to get you right. We’re complex beings us humans!
There’s no set time to mould the ideal business, something that’s right for you. There are plenty of obstacles, you’ll face many distractions. The best advice I heard was to take advice!
Networking works.
I’m living proof that losing isn’t fatal and pretty soon I found out that life was giving me back what I put in.
Have a go, try things, learn from your regrets and turn them to wins, becoming the person who other seek out. You are not guilty.
If you need help in banishing regret, please get in touch, I’d be happy to help.
Sue and I sat down at the kitchen table to sample the latest cake. Wonderful!
I felt I must be getting on in years if I’m feeling excited about yet another appointment with cake?
Yet, that’s me, I’m in my happy place!
Anyway, I was about to sink my teeth into a rather generous slice … when son Jack announced himself.
‘Great timing!’ That was all he said as Sue stood to deliver an even larger portion of the latest home bake, not yet 24 hrs old. ‘I’ll have a coffee, if you’re making it, please mum?’
In fear of losing my own sustenance, I set about making short work of it as Jack asked …
‘So, how’s it going Dad? What have you been up to?’
Sue, seeing I had my mouth full, answered for me:
‘Well, the usual. Your dad’s glued to his computer, I’ve been walking the dog. Last night we watched a decent movie, on Netflix … what was it called, Charlie?’
‘Who was in it?’ Jack replied, juggling his ‘phone.
‘Christian Bale and Woody Harrelson were stars, plus …’I replied.
‘Foundry.’ Jack replied, peering at his ‘phone. ‘The film was Foundry, a great movie, Casey Affleck was brilliant as well.’
Yes, I’d remember eventually … saves me thinking … I thought.
Managing to demolish the treat, Jack rose, coffee in hand and asked what we were doing ‘later-on?’ He needed to ‘make a move now’ as he was on his way to collect his wife from the station.
That’s when I noticed the dexterity of dear son as he finished his cake, while swallowing most of his coffee, simultaneously juggling details on his ‘phone …
I’d barely uttered … ‘so we may see you later-on?’ As he’d leaned over, kissed his mum, before making for the exit answering …
‘Yes, I was thinking of bringing pizza over, let me know what combination you’d prefer?’ We’ll catch you later, OK? Bye!
Gone. Peace.
I was about to exclaim once more how lucky we are to be living where we were. It’s a peaceful place, ’til family arrives.
Sue questioned me with a knowing smile. ‘Come on Charlie. How many times have I heard you say … how much easier networking would be if everyone was as transparent as family?’
Good things take time, I responded. Trust takes time …’
I was talking with a friend of mine recently during one of our morning meetings. Dennis is a successful dealer of antiques. A senior guy who confesses he should have retired ‘years ago.’
‘Then why don’t you?’ I asked. (Knowing the answer didn’t stop me asking anyway …)
The object of derision for Dennis was a fellow visiting us this morning. Full of enthusiasm, his agenda was plain to see, coming across town to declare his latest product, encouraging new business.
During our conversation I asked Dennis whether he thought our visitor would return?
“If he’s picked up promises, or actual business interest, he may. He looked to be hunting.”
So why is it you return, your business is doing well. Could it be the breakfast? I’m sure you’re not hunting these days?
“You know why, Charlie. I don’t like sitting still!
I enjoy the company of other people, yes the breakfast plays it’s part as well. For almost 40yrs business has been myself and one or two part-time assistants. I offer a particular kind of art and so this attracts those looking for specifics. It’s the same for me, I’m on the look-out for what makes a difference to other people. I find regular contact, breaking bread here with those in the group instils the confidence to converse. It’s precious to me as I discover what friends are looking for. People inspire change, keeping my old business current. Plus of course, I’m out of ‘the office’ for a while, privy to plenty help as and when I need it. I sure the same applies to you?”
What Dennis was saying was right. After all, he and I have been friends for a few years now and so we’ve adopted a similar outlook. As the network has grown, we’ve learned know and trust each other.
At Weekly Business Dennis and I have seen all kinds of people visiting. Many do spend time engaging, learning from each other.
The ‘hunters’ play their part as well, the salesmen, especially when we have the quasi-governmental organisations visiting periodically, to encourage what we’ve known for years … ‘people buy from people.’
Del and I had met for a one to one. We were discussing the illustrations for a forthcoming booklet, amongst other things.
The subject we spent time on had the common interest of networking. How the path to tangible results varies from person to person, industry to industry.
The networking process usually offers time of consolidation. The ‘getting to know you’ phase is vital before the trust shared.
I shared with Del the story from the meeting earlier that day.
It was a few years ago in London, I’d started a role as consultant, employed by a reprographics firm. My main client was Ron, he managed a small printing company who required I was at their premises early each day. I was supporting the press preparation for the teams working that day.
I needed to be ‘on site’ for 7.30, “why not get here a little earlier, we can share a coffee, put the world to rights?”
Business is personal, right? The arrangement suited me. I lived ten miles North of his factory, it was another ten miles south to the repro. works with whom I worked. Besides, early breakfasts at home weren’t popular during the working week.
I spent several years meeting Ron ‘before the ‘phones started.’ We ‘chewed the fat,’ got to know each other well. We learned much about each other by gazing out on the world, coffee in hand. Tales of ‘the trade,’ the gossip and future business etc. I enjoyed learning from Ron.
‘Tangible results?’ I hear you say?
Over time we learned how each other ticked. We understood the humour and what was important for today and what we were looking for long-term. Ron kept me busy because I proved myself reliable, I could hold a routine and I knew the business. Yes, the results with Ron were good, both parties fulfilled.
The bigger picture? (Because there is always a bigger picture.) The firm that funded Ron’s small company in London had a HQ in Birmingham.
The result of the collaboration with Ron? Albeit over several years, the proven relationship led to greater commerce between the firm I was working for and Birmingham.
Networking, where everyone wins, given time. Time to develop routines, become reliable, realising you are referable.
(an excerpt from a forthcoming book of the same name by Kevin John Ragnarsson Wilson Lee Clarke)
PART 2
I sat in my cell at my small wooden table, beside me was my solicitor, opposite me was the investigating detective beside my ‘jailer’new friend) PC Lonigan.
Just tell us your story Michael, start from the beginning …
It was 1969, I was 16 years old and school was over. At the time I remember myself and a friend starting jobs where my dad worked, at the local water pipeline.
Dad was pleased with himself as he began working with a gang of Irishmen on a part of the pipeline they called the front end. First the bulldozers cleared the land before a different team laid and welded the pipes. Dad loved his part of the job, erecting fencing alongside where the pipes were being laid. Here was his chance to share the ‘craic’ and he was in his element. With Irish blood and a great sense of humour, dad mixed well with the Irish boys and they soon adopted him. I often thought that dad must have kissed the Blarney Stone!
Together, there were a gang of about 25 Irishmen. The fellow who oversaw the operation was the ‘charge hand,’ a young man named Sean Fitzpatrick. I say young as was only ten years older than me. He and my dad shared the same sense of humour and ‘got on like a house on fire.’
On the many nights out with Sean, he’d ensure there were plenty of bottles of Guinness. All the Irish boys were there and they’d sing Irish republican songs long into the night. At some point Dad told his new friends he was a relative of one of the leaders of the Irish uprising. Also letting anyone who was listening that this was who his son (me) was named after .
It was Michael Collins he spoke of. He being outspoken Irish revolutionary soldier, politician and government Minister of Finance. Collins was an inspirational leader, active in 1919 and part of the political party, Sinn Fein, during the Irish Civil War. His star burned bright until one night, on the 22nd August 1922. Collin’s party were travelling by car along a quiet country road when they were ambushed by Anti Treaty forces. Michael Collins ended up being shot and killed, dying a martyr and loved by many, especially my dad.
Sean and dad enjoyed each other’s company and they soon became inseparable. To me, it seemed that Sean took the place of my older brother, Stephen, who was now living in Australia. During conversation Dad would introduce me as ‘our kid’ when Sean (or anyone else) returned to our house for supper after a night’s drinking. We were all close, kindred spirits.
Over time, and with more experience gained at work, it wasn’t long before I joined a company of Irish lads, all around my age. There were eight of us. I found this to be a strange situation at first as I could not make them out! I couldn’t understand them at all, their Irish ‘lingo’ being raw Southern Irish tongue. Of course they knew I struggled to keep up and I soon became the scapegoat for many pranks.
The work we did was tough at times and these lads loved to drink after work. Saying this, all went to church mass on a Sunday morning. Then, right after? It was a return to the pub for more Guinness. The hair of the dog they had swilled down the night before. I couldn’t keep up with them. I know they thought I was a wimp at the time, but I always paid for my round of Guinness. There was one night on the drink when I’d taken too much and it was boss man, Sean who took me home.
I remember, mother was mad at me, but she knew I had to learn to hold my liquor and she said ‘this was your time to get drunk. My turn to be sick and live in sufferance with a hangover!’ I would learn, but not this time.
Dad was devoted, he loved his family, mum, me and my absent brother. I sensed Sean knew this. Dad treated Sean like another son, I also knew that he loved what dad was doing for Sean … during his time with us, Sean had his family, loved by us all.
My boss Sean had a tough start in life. Born in Ireland and abandoned by his mother, in a the local Catholic Church hours after being born. From here, he ended up in an orphanage where he would stay until he was old enough to leave. Sean became a loner, he was soon an outcast, a rebel. Any possessions Sean owned, anything, even gifts for birthday or Christmas, the older boys took them.
Time was on his side. As this young man grew in confidence he learned to fight back and stand up for himself until before long Sean became top boy himself. He gained the respect of others who obeyed him now, giving him anything he wanted. What Sean wanted was devotion, loyalty.
At 16 Sean left the orphanage. It was the Father at the local Catholic Church who found him a job with a construction company.
Sean was a quick learner. He soon knew the tricks of the trade, developing his ‘people skills’ while operating a range of heavy equipment. In only a short time he gained respect and so became one of the top men ‘on the ground’ for the firm, transferring to England as a charge-hand.
Here Sean found himself responsible for human resources. Hiring and firing personnel for the construction of the new North Sea pipelines.
This is how our family came to meet Sean Fitzpatrick.
One of the great things I’ve learned whilst working for myself, and I’ve learned a lot of really great stuff … is that I wasn’t really going to be happy until I accepted the idea that I couldn’t be all things to all people …
It wasn’t until I embraced my own fallibility that I began to enjoy my career.
The turn-around took almost ten years, even with ‘bags of’ blind enthusiasm. During the early days of self-employment, my plans were BIG. Dreams were BIGGER … the expectation of reward were grander still. My success was reliant very much on past faithful prospects becoming customers overnight. It was exciting times; the optimism drove me on toward success.
I was soon to find out that ‘success’ wasn’t to be so simple. Not everyone wished to change and align with my thoughts – even in my brave new world! Some of my prospects were comfortable with existing long-term service providers. For others my ambitious plans fell on deaf ears. Change it seems, was too risky, not a good idea at the time.
The fact was, I had to admit I was looking to run before I could walk. My old friends enjoyed the stability I was once a part of. Why should they drop everything and join me? Yes, we were friends, although now, I needed to prove my worth, my value if I was to succeed when convincing others to invest in me alone.
Eventually I succumbed to apathy and accepted that my plans of world domination sucked.
Did I give up? No, not quite. I lowered my horizons, bringing the desired target a little closer. The reality of success became more visible.
Today? Through the benefit of experience, I’ve found that if I visualise my dreams, the journey and break it down, draw a picture, life is easy. I’ve also accepted that bite size ‘wins,’ however small they may be … achieved through strategy, with less stress … are wins nonetheless,
We all have our routines. For me, the pursuit of marginal gains has given me an appreciation of the important stuff. I value what I have, more time with family and friends, all in all, I am more content.
The magic is, this new found contentment has helped in other ways. In business I’m now finding people come to me for advice as I’m not selling anything other than my experience.
By learning to appreciate what I have … as opposed to what I want. By simplifying the task in hand, I’m far happier and, isn’t that what people want? Happiness?
Reputations sell.
People buy from people they know, trust and who are comfortable in their shoes.
Hello Bill, are you OK for our catch-up next week?
Can we leave the catch up until after August, Charlie?
Most of us have had to make adjustments this time of the year. For me, August always seems like the world and his P.A. are on, or planning a holiday. Everyone but me …( just a hint of jealousy) …
I’m lucky to have the freedom of choice nowadays. Being self-employed and working from home, holidays are a choice of convenience. A spontaneous decision.
Someone once told me that ‘we should busy ourselves when we’re busy.’
Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? There’s bound to be more opportunity in our marketplace during the ‘busy’ season. Is your business seasonal?
For those who have been trading for a year or so, we’ve learned to reflect on when business is coming our way (or not) and so forecast the time to ‘down tools.’
I do find the holiday season can prove frustrating when you feel like the only one working, here’s how I spend a little time prospecting to fight the frustration during the ‘quiet spell.’
I’ll visit the post office, (remember them?) to purchase a dozen stamps, together with a selection of greetings cards. I’ll send a note to prospects and customers alike, a short note, something like ‘thank you for the business’, or ‘I look forward to catching up upon your return,’ or more appropriate for just now …
‘Look forward to catching up after the August holiday Bill. Is the second week of September good for you?’
‘All very good’ I hear you say. Why though, should we bother to go to such lengths?
Because the holiday provides a welcome a distraction from the business. The personalised note? It’s a distraction from the mundane and it sure beats the email as a stand-out way to confirm the meeting or show appreciation.
It also does the job of keeping our pre-holiday conversation uppermost in mind. It’s something I am happy to do, whilst being different … it does little to harm my reputation.
What say you? Too creepy, salesy?
Some may think so and stick to the messenger or email? I like to think a little extra care is a reflection of how I value my customers … and prospects alike.
So, how do you show your appreciation. How do you stand out?
Try something new, because people buy from people.
It’s not the fact that I have found a modicum of success through direct business either. All my contacts know precisely what I’m good at although the fact is … not everyone is in the marketplace for my particular services, all of the time.
This is the same for each of us. Those who know, understand that the ‘magic’ happens through familiarity. By being there for the opportunity.
My passion for networking stems from something more valuable, a spin-off that has helped me define my reputation … the greatest ‘take-away.’
That spin-off? It’s the people I’ve met. The one-time acquaintances and those good friends who, over the years, have introduced me to their own circle.
For me, that’s made the difference. This is why I’m forever grateful that I realised the importance of following-up.
You see, early in my working life I wasn’t aware of the importance of following up the conversation. I missed out until I became responsible for the welfare of others. My employees and their family, not least my own dependants, and of course, me. It wasn’t until then that I realised I needed to step up and do more.
Do more of what I said I would do.
You know how it works? It can be too easy to offer the “I’ll get back to you” … or … “we must catch up soon,” … or even … “I’ll stick that in the post!”
It’s all very well we know who does what and the possibilities of association, although if we wish to thrive, then we should apply the finishing touches to our conversation(s) … by doing:
I’ll get back to you … this afternoon.
‘We must catch up soon, how about Friday?’
“I’ll post that quote to you today, you should have it by the end of the week.”
Life in business is (for most of us) a long term engagement, whatever we do, the impression we leave on others can be profound. How we prioritise relationships is how we develop our reputation.
Nothing takes the gloss off a promising first impression than failing to follow-up.
Don’t leave it too late, make your relationships a priority, your follow-up a habit. Then like me, you’ll learn to love networking.
CharlieKenny.me 