Reflecting on People
Today I have been mulling over People in the advertising, marketing, and media industry I work in, as well as people generally.
White Nancy overlooking Bollington and Kerridge, near Macclesfield.
The weather has been marvellous this week, especially in Cheshire. And I feel this could be a sign of change, of positive things to come as the country comes out of the terrible Covid period.
Some businesses have thrived in lockdown, a lot have not. But importantly, for me anyway, are People. Businesses are effectively People, and this is a business blog. Sometimes I think we cannot see the “wood for the trees” and this can be the case with the faceless organisations that Capitalism creates. By the way I am not criticising Capitalism, after all I run a Limited Company! I am merely trying to point out that people occupy businesses.
And people like businesses have either thrived or suffered during lockdown. I suspect a number of people, of which I have no idea, have really struggled mentally, financially, physically.
Over the months I took a large number of calls from contacts both old and new suffering the effects of redundancy, furlough, or just plain worried. One of the main concerns for people was the sheer uncertainty facing them, especially those with dependents.
I also noticed a dynamic change in my LinkedIn advertising where I had chosen to promote a role. Traditionally, for example, a Manchester based role would garnish candidates from Manchester and its surrounding areas. But I seen a shift to applicants from all over the country, especially the Southern region. People are genuinely facing employment hardship across the country, and with that financial and mental pressure.
I was happy to help, provide free advice, reach out, or just plain comfort people in the best way I could. Can I just point out that I am not a Saint, and flawed like all and sundry. Sometimes there was pleasure in this effort, sometimes sorrow and desperation for people due to the gravity of their situation, or simply mental health and wellbeing.
I’ve always tried to build found us around people, and will continue to do so, even if I don’t earn, make a fortune, as that is what “floats my boat”. And always has done.
The Point I Make
Where you can in the current climate try to remember “others”, and not just work colleagues. That person you work with, deal with, or know may have their World collapsing about them. I think this is common.
Don’t forget to help people where you can. 5 minutes of your time could literally “sort someone out”. Maybe a referral, a contact name, a reference, or a simple 5 minute call to perk someone up.
I’m ready and waiting for business as things improve, and yet there is still uncertainty. Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice, or just a plain old natter. I like natters.