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 – this could be 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 in collaboration through 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
  • The Take Away

    The Take Away

    This was the question, recently:

    “What was my biggest takeaway from ‘living away from the old country’ these past twenty years?”

    ‘It’s the holidays! Come on …’ These weird questions come to disarm us at the time we’re most vulnerable don’t you think?

    I couldn’t respond without giving this particular question a little thought, ‘so much water …’ I uttered. There were too many considerations in delivering the correct answer, of course.

    If there was one thing it must be the gratitude for my partnerships that have prevailed, my family in particular. These partnerships wouldn’t have been possible without me living where I am now. Something else though …

    Being self-employed for much of the past two and a half decades I’ve learned the lessons offered by showing courage. By taking ‘the bad with the good,’ and understanding that there will be tough times … (even though I didn’t realise how many) … courage can take us some way.

    Being brave comes at a price. We should understand who we are, why we have the yearning of where we wish to be, and have the courage to take risks along the path that leads to fulfillment. 

    Again, something else. Being brave can be taxing and so, today, more than ever, we definitely need to recognise strong relationships and … humour.

    Living ‘away from home’ has allowed me to lean a little more on my internal instincts and reserves. I’ve learned to offer transparency. Good relationships share vision, business thrives on trust and so vision, and transparency are prerequisites.

    So, what was ANOTHER takeaway, apart from the lasting relationships of the family? For me, it’s been the opportunity to observe how others live and thrive. Then being able to see how I might be brave enough to adapt and bring my own, independent expertise to the business of today.

    What do you see as the greatest ‘takeaway’ your business offers the customer in 2023?

    People buy from people because business is personal.

  • Meet, Harsha Moore

    Meet, Harsha Moore

    Here’s (another) day for the Diary, commencing 13th Nov ’23 …

    Any Monday … 11- 12 pm (BST)
    Clear the way through … Kundalini Yoga Workshop
    hosted by my friend Harsha Moore …

    “Have a mat (or throw) and cushion to sit on the floor – ideal if possible, otherwise a chair to sit on

    A blanket or jumper to cover yourself during deep relaxation

    Please do not eat a heavy meal prior two hours before the session

    and please bring yourselves with a willingness to share”

    ZOOM I.D. No … 476 566 6166


    We are supporting Thomas Pocklington Trust (the charity for those with partial or permanent sight loss.)


    #SightLoss #kundaliniyoga #newyou

  • The apprentice

    The apprentice

    ‘Tough’ is not a trait some of us are born with. Working for yourself, one of the advantages of joining the solopreneur society is we soon harden up when honing our instincts. 

    The business landscape? It’s tough out there. You know it, we’ve about survived the worst of a pandemic by drawing on our own resilience and that of the national reserves.

    We’re bound to feel a little battle-weary, some of us have become impervious to the ongoing challenges of the daily grind. Most of are still ‘working it out.’ 

    If we’re working alone we’re contending daily as we hear the ‘news broadcasts.’ We’re badgered into considering the negative messages of worldly woes and as we learn to disconnect from the madness of the opinionated, trend-hungry society … we focus on a living.

    At some stage during the days of ‘working for ourselves …’ (isn’t everyone working for themselves?) We find ourselves passing through yet another apprenticeship as we navigate …  solopreneurship.

    We are the decision-makers. Accountability? The buck stops with us. So, when we’re fortunate enough to be able to confer with friends the instincts kick in as we hear something more valuable than the raft of fake news. We smile as we reconnect with friends, it’s comfortable. We’re grounded once more. 

    I’ve spent the past (many) years developing my depth of reliable contacts. The support I glean has helped me on many occasions. For me, it’s been ten years of apprenticeship!

    Due to experience, it’s easy for me to be able to turn to someone for advice or to qualify my path or judgment. It’s because I’m a nosey type I have the confidence to ask questions and so seek answers.

    What’s my apprenticeship taught me? I now understand that success is not about the BIG wins but a series of small gains as we develop a reputation for trust and reliability.

    For those not so outgoing, or even introverted?

    It’s tough for some to ask for help although there comes a time when we must. We need to understand the world of solopreneurship. The keyword is solo and it need not be so.

    By developing trusted contacts (it’s that word again, trust.)

    These special people bring supportive opinions, often with a skill set that isn’t within your own remit.

    New connections will bring their own world of contacts over time, their own trusted diary. It is especially satisfying when we’re able to draw on their skills to help another or even a family member.

    Those of us who do have that depth of reliable contacts? We soon understand how fortunate we are to have followed the apprenticeship of time in business to now work for ourselves.

    The learned ability to turn to others for conversation and opinion can be invaluable, in so many ways.

    Business does not have to be tough, let’s learn to reach out, and talk to others about your challenges. Surround ourselves with like-minded people.

    Because people buy from people.

    #community #remoteworking #conversations #networking

  • Goodbye stranger

    Goodbye stranger

    Accountability is less important to strangers.” I like this, it highlights one of the many reasons we’re meeting on a regular basis at Weeklybiz.

    Accountability, acting as you say you will. Being responsible. Strong personal relationships form a great platform for business, and it’s often rewarding to spend time with those you know well. There’s less pain, we’re at ease and the conversation flows.

    I’m more likely to introduce new business to someone whose business values align with my own. How about you?

    I recall days working in a sales environment that was very much target oriented. If I’d been having a rough week and business was slow? I was always grateful to those who I could count on to help me out. A recommendation here and there, or even an introduction to one of their own close contacts. Someone who is now a new contact and who might help. Not now, perhaps … let’s think of the future.

    Some great business happens through 3rd/4th or 5th, even 6th-degree connections.  How often DO YOU ask for help from others? What’s your answer when asked … ‘who would you recommend?’

    Is it, ‘No, we don’t do that.’

    Or “We can’t help, although I know someone who can.”

    Are you missing an opportunity for someone else? Some who share the network still don’t have the habit of reaching out. Making themselves accountable. I know, I keep saying it ‘business is personal,’ and family does come first…. although … Some even think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help.

    To become an effective networker and trusted contact, it is important to develop the ability to look past our own needs.

    To realise the true benefits of networking we need to be thinking of recommending our contacts. Sharing, asking for help on behalf of another outside of the net. Why? Because it’s called networking. 

    For me, after years of developing my diary, the connections with whom I’m still in contact, would without fail, help each other out when asked. Even in today’s fractured business environment, there is a solution.

    Yet there are many who believe that simply ‘being in business’ signifies success. Congratulations! It is indeed a brave first step, but for anyone starting their own enterprise …

    The engine may be running in these early days, and that’s great. Although, if you haven’t a sales strategy and you overlook the importance of personal leverage … your business of today may be struggling tomorrow.

    My advice after such a rant? Join a network, yes, because business is personal. Then value your contacts, to become accountable. Your fellow networkers (and your business) will thank you for it. 

    ‘people buy from people they know, and trust’ 

  • calling on the mantra

    calling on the mantra

    If there’s one question I ask as I approach my work, it’s “how can I make this easier?” Not that I’m afraid of hard work. It’s just … nothing frustrates me more than working hard, unnecessarily.

    How do I ease the frustration of avoiding hard work? It’s tied directly to (one) of my core principles. ‘If you don’t do, you don’t get.’

    If I find myself struggling to sustain motivation for a new habit, combating the ‘lazy’ option, and not bothering … I immediately look at what the cause for apathy may be. What is making the decision unnecessarily difficult? I know how to remedy the dilemma, I just need to stop ‘lazy’ winning. It often boils down to a few key areas.

    Decisions (or, is it important?)

    If I have to make too many decisions to start an action, I am less likely to do it. So, I need to address the steps holding back my actions. Here’s a good example …

    I own a set of golf clubs that I don’t use often. One reason for this is that I have yet to decide to pick them up.

    Always I have questions for myself …

    Do I have time?

    What’s the weather like?

    Who do I call for a game?

    Am I up to it? Fit enough?? And on it goes.

    Here’s what I know to be true.

    If I can arrive at the course, I will play. I will do the hard work of ‘playing the game.’ (Sounds contradictory, I know.)

    It’s all the stuff beforehand that trips me up. That’s when I choose lazy instead of recalling ‘If you don’t do, you don’t get,’ … making it simple to pick up the clubs.

    Willpower (It’s my mind thing)

    Do I enjoy golf? Yes. Does it keep me fit? Yes. Is it hard work?? Yes.

    Why then should I exert willpower before the event? My willpower should come to the ‘fore’ (excuse the pun) during the actual game. You see, I want to keep enough of the willpower in the tank for the full eighteen holes. Not to burn-out after nine.

    So my routine? I like to prepare the night before …

    This is how willpower overcomes the lazy … being ready, (ahead of the game,) preparing ahead of time helps me ‘be lazy’ and still do what I want to do.

    Why not let me know what’s getting in the way of your efforts? What’s making your work unnecessarily hard? How do you overcome ‘the lazy?’

    Apart from blaming the weather? 🙂

  • Life’s a playground

    Life’s a playground

    I was visiting friends recently when the conversation turned to the fact that Sarah, (aged 8,) wasn’t enjoying school so much. Sarah had only recently moved to her next ‘big’ school after living with mum and dad in a rural community.  

    Sarah declares, ‘It’s not the same. My friends are all different and we don’t play so much …’   

    Agreed. Friendships change when we start new schools. During career changes, most of us manage to hang on to strong connections. We move house and take those close friendships with us. Moving schools can be a ‘big deal’ and I loved that Sarah says ‘we don’t play so much.’    

    ‘My new friends are always grumpy.’   

    Once mum and dad convinced her that the new friends will play more in time once they see her best ‘sparkly smile.’ We all agreed that the wrench for youngsters moving communities can be profound.  

    Not just the kids, I believe most of us would benefit profoundly by reaching out more often, offering more time to developing those all-important relationships … these days particularly, in our insular world, there’s always someone ‘out there’ who may be in need …

    We can help …  

    New acquaintances often bring challenges for the more introverted, and friendships often take a little while to develop, especially (as Sarah described) through mum and dad’s house move, and that new job might mean anxious times for some … as for the self-employed opting for ‘remote working..?’   

    Life is all about those moments, I call them opportunities. There are times when I stop for clarity, seeking definition in my role as a friend and I’m often asking myself ‘am I giving enough?’ Be it time for engagement, advice, or help and support.

    Even today, when 8 yr old Sarah reminded me that we’re so busy working ‘in the moment’ that we forget to smile. We should be setting examples, by making time to share those light-hearted moments, our playtime…  

    Lessons from our younger selves are within us all. Let’s take time to realise that more than ever, business is personal,  ‘people buy from people.’    

  • What’s in it for me?

    What’s in it for me?

      “Hi Charlie, I’d like to come along and meet you at the networking forum next week, the cost being £10 per head right? If you don’t mind me asking … what do I get for the money?” 

     ‘Fair comment Ben,’ I replied. ‘A choice of breakfast, certainly, the venue also offers delegates exclusive use of its premises.’

    “OK, that’s fine. We don’t mind paying for the breakfast, although I thought you mentioned on the telephone that the networking was free?” 

     ‘Correct. The only thing you are paying for is what you consume. By coming along to the meeting you’ll find that in reality, you are absorbing much more than the great breakfast of choice.    

    Ben, you will be meeting a variety of like-minded business owners, each with their own circle of contacts. You will also be the only specialist of your skills in the room and you will have an opportunity to introduce your own business.’

      “OK, Charlie, so there’s the possibility I could come away with some business?” 

    ‘Once your new contacts get to know you, there’s a great chance your message is discussed outside of your circle, perhaps in conversation with your next ideal client …

    New business is always a possibility, it depends on who’s listening (or in the market at the time of your offer.)’

    ‘What else do you get for your £10?

    Think about your message Ben, think … who can YOU help? It just may be reciprocal.

    Networking offers an introduction to new contacts in a variety of industries over information exchange. Your allies. There’s your business’s well-being to think about. Self-esteem, confidence through the presentation, new friends also … networking is more than new business, more than a good breakfast. 

    Where would you like to take your business, Ben?’

    People buy from people.

  • Only people can

    Only people can

    Does anyone care to imagine how the new business ‘entrepreneur’ grew the businesses prior to the advent of the internet? Before digital?

    Give me just a minute …

    With the consolidation of in-person networking during the mid 80’s ‘word of mouth’ established itself as the preferred tactic of obtaining new business introductions.

    People recognised the value of the professional, informed connection and face-to-face interaction.

    Prior to 1990 the business start-up had the choice of advertising through a very different media landscape to today … there were market-focussed magazines, local newspapers, and community ‘rags’ were abundant. 

    Specialist sales-people, those who had people skills, the experts in their field who were engaging the prospects or potential new customer were a valuable asset to any company.

    No doubt, word of mouth, and business by recommendation are still recognised as the best form of business.

    Although today, the use of digital media has brought about the spectre of the ‘redundant salesperson.’ The soft skills that were so important thirty years ago are often lost on the potential impresarios of today. 

    What value has the educated connection? The business landscape continues to change alongside an ever-evolving digital influence and it is proven that those who don’t adapt, are lost.

    Ambitious individuals can evolve in step within the forward-thinking company. Although, the one thing that cannot be overlooked is that people buy from people. You may have the best product in the market although if you cannot personally relate to the prospective customer you may be lost.

    There will always be a special place in business for those individuals who are able to develop meaningful, trustworthy relationships.

    In-person networking continues to support the organisation that values the soft-skills, those personal experiences that only people bring to ‘the room.’

  • Be surprised.

    Be surprised.

    Looks can be deceiving, life tests us each day, dares us to raise a smile and still, I often never see it happening.

    I’d like to share a short story with you. Not particularly linked to business, with only the merest reference to the practice of networking … although … well, you’ll see.

    Our son moved out recently, taking his cat with him. Since then, I’d been looking out for a ‘mouser’ to join the remaining family menagerie of four chickens and one black and white dawg …

    So, when a friend coincidentally called to ask whether I’d be interested in adopting her young male cat named Dave I was listening.

    Christine explained that she had been recently diagnosed with a long-term illness and with a ‘needy pet’ in the house, she was finding life tough. Dave though was fully vaccinated and in good health … without hesitating I agreed, “Yes, of course. No problem and thank you!” 

    I put the ‘phone down. “You’ll need to have him sterilised you know?” Came a shout from a learned, listening ear.

    It wasn’t long before I was on the way with ‘our Dave’ to the local veterinarian.

    “Pop him up on the examination table please.”

    The next few minutes saw me grappling with Dave’s ‘front end,’ as my lovely assistant qualified the rear area for the possible procedure.

     “Excuse me, she said, I’ll need to collect a torch. Would you take hold of him for a minute?” 

    Returning quickly with another assistant and the required illumination, a further investigation ensured my assistant was finally satisfied.

    “You can put the pet back in the carrier please, there’s nothing we can do for you today.” 

    I could see Dave was happy as I looked quizzically at my nurse …  “Your cat is female.”

    Dave … is Davinia?

    Needless to say … my quarter-hour journey home with Dave/Davinia provided reason to be happy for the little beast – he/she wasn’t to face ‘the knife after all.’ I’d also saved some cash and decided to maintain the boy-blue collar and the name Dave.

    All in the name of the unexpected and of course a gentle nod of affirmation to the local profile of LGBTQ+ awareness.

    Dave had done ‘her bit.’    

  • Go tell …

    Go tell …

    During the course of these past ten years, I am constantly reminding myself that I could be better. I’m happy ‘where I am’ with the business, sure, although these days I’m driven to consider how I could improve. 

    Business is good. Recommendations are coming my way and while I’ve never been one to rest on my laurels, the stories I’m asked to develop on behalf of my clients are qualification enough for what I provide as a service. 

    Stories have a wonderful way of reminding me there is so much more around us than what is in front of our own eyes. Stories for me, enable me to dive deep, dismissing my own needs and focus on … how I’m able to make the experience better for my client?

    We all have a unique level of experience. Successes, challenges, and of course, the odd failure and I’m not saying treat these milestones as a ‘badge of honour’ but if we don’t go out and try, we won’t experience the highs and lows, right?

    My own life experiences combine to form a melting pot of stories that I’ve learned to bring together. Great things happen when we take time to encourage our stories, reflecting perhaps … on life experiences. I’m not talking solely about ‘my job’ either, the production of a memoir or novel, sometimes takes years to complete. 

    Tell the tale, inspire the imagination …

    By engaging in-person, through groups such as the Weeklybiz, connecting through stories based on personal experiences, we’re creating opportunities. We’re also offering insights into the possibility of further collaboration.

    Unbeknownst as we deliver the tale, we conjure pictures to go with the story. We’re encouraging comparisons, the possibility of solutions emerge, something that may not have been possible prior to conversation.

    We’re developing a far richer association via stories. Each time I’m reminded to do better I now look at how I could make it better for my customer, I reflect on my own journey and how far I’ve come through collaboration.

    Today’s business is not so much about what we know, it’s how we relate that set’s us apart from the competition. Go and build, tell your story, because ultimately, reputations matter.