4 horsemen of the apocalypse, 4 good bosses
This post is about what constituted a good boss for me when employed. I am now self-employed and have been for a while. In about 10 weeks I’ll mature to 53 years of age, so have had a number of direct or indirect bosses, though not since 2014, and to be honest don’t miss being employed in the industry that I was in, and if you read a piece I’d written elsewhere you’d understand why.
So what and who did I think was a good boss and what do 4 horsemen have to do with it all?
Wikipedia - for brevity….
Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse[1] are figures in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible, a piece of apocalypse literature attributed to John of Patmos. Similar allusions are contained in the Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Zechariah, written about six centuries prior. Though the text only provides a name for the fourth horseman, subsequent commentary often identifies them as personifications of Conquest (Zelus), War (Ares), Famine (Limos), and Death (Thanatos).
Please note that there is no chronological order to these bosses.
My 4 good ex-Bosses
They are in fact opposites of the 4 horsemen. If you read below I explain.
I learnt if you act the opposite to appalling bosses, then you become good management, and this did work for me. I was not the best but had no real intention of subjected to the styles of Victor Synott across to Jim Brigden or Warren Burke for example.
Being young and stupid I did the opposite to those with poor man management who resorted to bullying, interspersing their styles with dashes of immorality, and smatterings of sheer cruelty.
But there was more to it that doing the opposite as that only lasts so long. I had to have people I could learn from, who would teach me, who cared, who in fact cared for my growth as a person and not a mere employee. People I could out for a drink with after work in London on a Friday, knackered and frazzled, and pour my heart out to them. People I now realise who were just as bat shit crazy, but a little older and experienced, cared about people not wanting them to emulate mistakes they’d made, or simply have a crap day or career.
I learnt so much from these four and thank you.
Conquest for me is Taryn Newlove (Dr Taryn Bashford as she is now)
The opposite? Not succumbing to conquest of self, from all sides.
I learnt from Taryn how it is possible to overcome prejudice, adversity; whilst pursuing a dream. And Taryn taught me how to be tough and fair, whilst she took a barrage of sexism in the advertising field; with my suspecting her South African heritage standing her in good stead. She was never shy in saying what she thought to people, me included.
I first met Taryn when she became my boss at Carlton TV in the Halcion days of my media career in London in the early 2000’s. I was, ahem, a handful to say the least and the industry up and down like a yo-yo.
Pretty, intelligent and most importantly a SAFFER.
If you are to read her LinkedIn profile or learn about Taryn, she has brought up two wonderful kids, taken a career change into writing and academia and done very well.
She is now an Associate Director at The University of Queensland and very happy pursuing her dream.
I learnt a lot about responsibility, teamwork, and about how to be a good boss, and look after people. Taryn extoled the rule of giving people empowerment and responsibility and control over their destiny. This was her South African ethos; just get on with it in your own style and achieve the objective.
War for me is Carol Dukes
The opposite to war? Don’t go to war, be the thinker, the Strategist.
Carol Dukes was behind Emap Online and then Carlton Online, where I was one of her employees, is and was one of the cleverest people I have met with a common touch.
I learnt from her that all out warfare in business, especially the advertising community and in the dotcom boom, is and will always be a pointless, vanity led, wasteful, and crippling project.
Carol successfully built and led from the front the fast paced and leading digital media business at the start of the rollercoaster ride in 1998 that was to become Joe Public embracing The Web. This was Carlton Online, part of Carlton TV, one of the biggest franchise operators of ITV.
To see her operate as the consummate Strategist avoiding warfare with rival Media Owners who were literally throwing millions into digital, when we working with fookin’ dial up modem, and Flash was thought to be funky, was amazing to see and learn from.
I learnt so much about not playing the game, not picking up the ball, avoiding confrontation and being good at self, colleagues, and what your business does. I learn this from Carol.
There is one thing that has always stuck with me. One day I was dealing with an individual at Mindshare (WPP) who was not happy with the media rate we were charging. So he went above my head and called Carol, who backed up my decision despite this person and agency being a major play with budgets we needed. She simply said something to me that has stuck and been oft quoted many, many times:
“Too much, too soon, too young”. Always the Teacher. It was her way of keeping me grounded.
Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov
Famine for me is Phil Rooke
Now you may think this an odd one if you know Phil Rooke. I shall explain. Phil as my direct boss at Carlton Online was on the senior management leadership team with Carol Dukes and basically led sales and commercial affairs. From him I learnt the opposite of famine which is growth and harvest, and Phil is, was exceptional as to this. He grew businesses because he knows how to grow people.
He helped found business with limited “advertising space” to sell in the oh so early days of digital marketing, and was a true creative at the creation of products and services to be sold to clients. Always at the forefront of new things. A natural curosity. For God’s sake he chose Microlight flying as a hobby!
I learnt that you can always find and make opportunities in times of famine, and Phil showed me this and much more, with his having a erudite mind, caring for people, and always being creative. I learnt to think out of the box from Phil. Always looking for a solution.
And this is why if you look to Phil’s profile you’ll see a true entrepreneur. But crucially someone who realised, leverage, and taught me that businesses are made of people, so nourish them; but what was special was that this is natural to Phil.
Death for me is Richard Firminger
Why death and why Richard Firminger? The opposite of death is life, rebirth, rising from the ashes, achievement over adversity. He is someone I admire for what he has achieved, of obstacles overcome, and for never giving up.
Richard was my boss when at Yahoo! UK & Ireland, and I think he can be summed up with the care and help he showed me when I was off ill in 2007 with clinical depression for three months. He understood and helped coax me back to returning to work when broken. He himself had not had it easy, also occupying very senior and stressful roles. I looked to him and thought, if he can do it, I can do it.
When you look to his profile he is like the other three, plus being a true achiever. Richard was in a very challenging position at Overture as it proceeded to be shoe horned into Yahoo! UK & Ireland. He had to deal with some absolute Yahoo! types who had and probably still do have the morals of an alley cat, and I am being diplomatic when I say that.
A leader, entrepreneur, yet he demonstrated the opposite to death in a personal and business context, whereby he kept coming back. And as a sales and commercial type I learnt so much from this, and in recent years his rubbing off on me probably was one of those subconscious factors in my never giving up, of embracing and loving the fact that the opera is not over until the fat lady sings, and of making sure you put a chair against her stage room door so she cannot get out. Richard is one of those. I suspect he stuck two fingers up at the Yahoo! Cronies and was always one of the team, and fondly thought of by his ex-team today. If you know Firminger’s story it is one of clearly snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat, and whilst showing the flaws we all have as humans, coming out on top for self and others.
Saint-Sever Beatus
But what was the common theme?
Across all 4 people is a common theme that I picked up on. Each of these people has their own style and idiosyncrasies. Just like we all do. But each one follows the golden rule:
The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you (not necessarily how they actually treat you). Various expressions of this rule can be found in the tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages.[1] Wikipedia.
I suppose I can also finish with the following, namely you get what you give. The Universe I am convinced operates and lives in a most sarcastic form of Karma. Do you want to be the dog that has its day? All these three people were great bosses because they helped people on the way up. Others don’t and I know a few. And when you fall you need help. And in my game people can and do piss on you if you plummet when saddled with a questionable reputation. And you can fall at any time.
We always have a Wildcard in life and the Universe
And it comes in the form of an Insiad Graduate from whom I learnt so, so much and helped cement and grow my commercial and legal knowledge. This man was not a direct boss but I worked closely with him at Carlton/ITV, and smile fondly at our commercial sessions together.
He fascinated me with his acumen, whit; saddened me with his life story, and held me astounded with his tales. This man is so posh, yet was our Henry V and we were his band of brothers. He operates within an orbit that only star ships do. This is a man who appeared in a US Court in his pyjamas in the middle of nowhere to argue his case. He is very intelligent and bat shit crazy, and one of the most caring and thoughtful people I met in my time in London, despite his operating in shark ridden environment working with the likes of David Cameron before Pork Loins entered politics.
You know who you are and thank you.
I still remember you barracking me in the depths of the The Media Centre on Great Titchfield Street as I desperately fought your intellect as you asked me which bit did I not understand? I still don’t understand a lot if honest, but learnt so much from you.
Eduard von Steinle
Mental Health, Paediatric, and Emmergency First Aid at Work.
A short blog post to say thanks to the team at Millie’s Trust who took me through 3 excellent first aid courses, and one of which Mental Health First Aid will greatly assist me with my voluntary work, and now makes me a member of MHFA England.
The charity was set up in 2014 by Joanne and Dan Thompson to provide sensibly priced but comprehensive first aid courses for non-professionals such as you and I.
This all resulted out of the tragic choking death of their daughter Millie. With Dan and Joanne recognising a need for adequate first aid training.
The charity has trained over 40,000 people in first aid and will have undoubtably have saved lives. And I think it so important that we take the opportunity to learn about saving lives in the time it takes for the professional people to arrive on the scene of an emergency.
Did you know for example that a first aider with CPR knowledge and armed with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can increase the success rate when dealing with a cardiac arrest up to 75%? That’s someone’s life - a son, a daughter, a wife, a husband, maybe even you?
Have a look at a video I took of Dan Thompson showing a group how to use an AED.
busy bee is me…
Last few days have been busy to say the least, but good nonetheless.
Cairn atop Little Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales
It is Monday and I am over in Macclesfield at Muver’s place saying hello. That said I have the house to myself today as she is off on her jollies to Scarborough and then the Yorkshire Dales.
I was in town earlier with the wonderful Terry McCusker of searchup for a coffee which was highly enjoyable. We discussed how searchup is getting on, and all is good, good, whilst delivering results to its clients. A lovely little search led agency (and a lot more) that I enjoy consulting for.
We also had a good natter as to his son Ozzy’s new found love of MTB (mountain biking) with his now disappearing with his mates armed with pocket money and butties. I smiled as I used to MTB all over the surrounding areas.
Saturday saw an absolutely marvellous walk with The Pigs from Ilam into Dove Dale, then back to Ilam via the Manifold Way. Probably means nothing to a lot of people, unless of course a walker, suffice to say it is a very beautiful park of the White Peak. It does get busy, so be advised to arrive by 9am as we did for our 12 mile walk.
Thursday had seen a Manchester trip for coffee with the wonderful Liam Anderson who I have known for yonks, and Nick Jaspan of Prolific North fame who I have known for eons… Both on good form and dealing with the changeable working environment we are all living with in the advertising industry. It appears a number of companies are treading water in unpredictable times; and there are swans gliding gracefully and ducks paddling furiously.
Wednesday was a bit of an adventure as I walked with friends on a recce of Ingleborough prior to a Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge on the 26th of this month. All good fun, with the highlight looking into the void that is Gapping Gill.
Some notes
You may ask what on earth has a lot of the above got to do with running a consultancy, or working, or advertising, or you the reader? Thanks for thinking that, and I hope you don’t feel you’ve lost 10 minutes of your time. What I want you to see is the balance of self. I am not going to talk about work life balance as this irritates me. I prefer the concept of “self” and of how the self exists. We are holistic creatures and not divided up. I feel at peace, rounded, and connected to what is going on. This being a result of not getting wrapped up in one thing and taking time out from difficult trading conditions to connect with nature and people. Try it. Please do.
(How am I paddling? I am not. I float with flow and ebb of the water and guide myself as needed. Accepting that I should embrace changing waters.)
Where’s Wally?
Well…. Not exactly true, but it amused me indeed to think of the analogy. Suffice to say that Wally is in fact the eminent Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist, and long standing contact.
We caught up today in cavernous Foundation on Whitworth Street. A Metrolink tram from Ashton into the bowels of Piccadilly and then a walk to the coffee shop. Passing the beautiful old buildings that line the route, and including what were the old UMIST buildings. Which makes me think of my age.
Tom was, and is always on good form and a cheerful wind blowing into my somewhat vacant mind. Especially when food comes into play, and it was lunchtime. Always a distraction. That said I ended up having a coffee and instead ate on returning home.
It has been a while since we caught up and it was good to chat as to market and economic trends. We both tried to figure out when we might see an upturn in economic conditions, different to sentiment. Labour will get into power we agreed, and with this we will see a rise in positive sentiment amongst the population and those that consume. But this won’t manifest itself properly as an upturn for business, taking aside Christmas, until Q3 of 2025; so quite a while away.
Tom is perfectly fine, strongly supported with his speaking, consulting as a pre-eminent Futurist for leading brands, and also representing other notable public speakers.
I’ve always felt he deserved to do well because not only does he have what it takes, he took the plunge and followed his dream to success and reputation when no one knew what the heck a Futurist is. I’d always recommend him.
Please do make sure that you read up on what TC gets up to in his life; it makes for great reading. And I was quite fascinated when he mentioned he is producing and delivering a Podcast for the BBC.
Tom also runs Pomona Partners, representing a number of leading speakers. A highly recommended look for those needing expert speakers.
Tom like me enjoys reading and is an avid consumer of educational books, and recommended the following by Peter Etchells. I’m interested in a book (having read Irresistible) that talks about having a positive relationship with tech, social media, and mobiles. I’ve used one of my Audible credits for it.
The Amazon precis reads, “Professor Pete Etchells studies the way we use screens, and how they can affect us. In UNLOCKED, he delves into the real science behind the panic about our alleged device addiction and withering attention spans. Armed with the latest research, he reveals how little we have to fear, and the great deal we have to gain, by establishing a more positive relationship with our screens. That begins with asking ourselves some essential questions about how we use them.
Instead of clamouring for us to ditch our devices (before guiltily returning to the same old habits), UNLOCKED is a sustainable, realistic and vital guide to transforming our connection with technology.”
Jones and Kershaw.
It is Sunday 28th April as I type, and I think back to Wednesday of this week when I caught up with two old and treasured contacts.
The first coffee in Haunt on Peter Street was with Simon Jones who I have known for a number of years. Simon Jones heads up Wavemaker Studio and has made a massive impact to the business with the set up and growth of this area, especially where media budgets are showing contraints as are margins for agencies.
It was a good chat as to life, family, and business. And it is tough times for a lot of people in and outside of our business. Heading in to meet Si, I felt Manchester busy for mid-week, but not as busy nor vibrant as I would expect. But good old Wavemaker Manchester under the steady and capable hands of Emma Slater is doing well, and also in new Quay Street offices.
Amusingly after Haunt we headed to Greggs on St Peter’s Square for a pizza slice for Si, sausage roll and ring donut with sprinkly things for me, and kindly paid for by Si. Off he went, and I kept myself busy before seeing Jon Kershaw at Ditto Coffe on Oxford Street.
Forgot to photo snap Jon at Ditto Coffee, so apologies Mr Kershaw I used LinkedIn instead.
Where do I start with Jon Kershaw? Someone I have known for a number of years and highly respect. An example of being able to get to a senior role in this game and retain being a nice chap, someone who cares, and runs a good business.
Jon heads up PHD in Manchester, and the agency has a roster of good clients, staff, and is widely respected. Jon is a strategist and thinker at heart and we enjoyed a good chat and vague attempts at forecasting the marketplace and when it would pick up. We think, and I use this loosely, that improvement or even stability probably won’t be seen until at least Q3 next year. There is a lot going on globally, and there is also a concern of a potential shift of advertising clients to London, and their not recognising the strength of the North. We may pitch against each other, but if one agency loses a client to London, then we all lose.
And as I have said before London looks after London.
I suspect people and businesses in the advertising industry (all emcompassing term that covers all disciplines and the offline/online split) are treading water some gracefully as a summer swan, others a fresh unsure and rain drenched Cygnet. But better to float than sink in my opinion, and I always believe that in times of uncertainty we have opportunity, as change can breathe afresh in turned soil. Sometimes we need re-ploughing, when we risk growing in the same vein.
Ancoats Coffee, Guy Levine, Ditto Coffee, Craig Johnson.
A nice day was had yesterday in Manchester. A tram from Ashton for an afternoon coffee with Guy Levine, and a second with Craig Johnson.
It was a pleasant day indeed and a nice walk from New Islington Metrolink stop between Ashton to Rochdale Canals for Ancoats Coffee and Guy Levine.
I have known Guy for many years and we both enjoy our chats as to life and all that entails. Guy is an entrepreneur behind Return.co and Abe & Co. Let me tell you more.
Return is digital marketing agency that focuses on customer journey and how to achieve that. A business I have worked with for years.
Abe & Co is a speciality coffee roaster set up by Guy, that my wife and I buy coffee from. It is quality, unique, hard to find and beautiful coffee. And that reminds me that I need to get some coffee on order for Dukinfield.
I’ve caught up with Guy over the years chatting as to all sorts and sharing a love of cycling and Zwift (the male advertising mid-life crisis go to), plus Guy’s family and beliefs something he is so passionate about and to be admired for. Through thick and thin I have been able to stand on the shoulders of a giant, and I thank him for his support.
Next meeting involved a 15-20 minute walk through Ancoats into Piccadilly Gardens and down Portland Street to meet Craig Johnson outside Ditto Coffee on Oxford Street.
Craig is someone I again have known for a number of years and like Guy a good hearted, caring, confidential, and professional person. He always considers his staff and clients and looks after them. We have caught up many times over the years and have become friends, with the coffee catch up at Ditto a natter as to business, family, life and the rest. Highly enjoyable.
Another person I admire. A family man who cares for his wife and boys, and driven in business but proof that you don’t need to be horrible or an arse to achieve in this game.
Speaking of which Craig is currently CEO of Ultimedia in Manchester, and his knowledge of eCommerce and digital marketing is second to none.
I said a fond goodbye to Craig and made my way via Whitworth Street to Piccadilly for the Metrolink tram back to Ashton.
Finishing off with Big Trouble in Little China
Great Easter Sunday with a mixture of stuff, the house to myself and writing this post to a long overdue viewing of a classic film. Youngsters watch it. Watch it now! (And Escape from New York.)
This blog entry is light hearted and nothing to do with work, advertising, and consultancy. More designed for those bored enough to read what I get up to on an Easter Sunday when not yabbering on about found us.
So the day started well early, 5am I think and that was taking into account the clocks going forward an hour. Between then and 9am I got a heck of a lot done sorting things for Claire coming down tomorrow from Scotland. Then back to bed as shattered and still suffering from a cough for which I’m on antibiotics. Meanwhile as I slept Claire made her way from Mull to Oban.
I awoke and climbed out of bed.
Plan was to head to Denton to repair one of the shared bikes at ANEW, then transport Claire’s road bike back ready for heading to Scotland. The bike has been down here a while. All ready to go and the washed out feeling hit me again from the aftermath of the cold and the cough. Back to bed for what must have been a couple of hours. Mind you I did listen on Audible timer to 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a highly recommended read and one that fits in with my belief system.
Got up and checked where Claire was on the campervan tracker. She was heading to Hamilton via the scenic route through Callander avoiding Easter Sunday traffic in the Trossachs and the Loch Lomond route.
Me? It was getting into Denton part 2, and this time I was ready. Whilst heading for the bus I listened to an absolute banger on Spotify - Sugar is Sweeter by CJ Bolland.
Got to Denton and said hello to the lads, made a brew, and proceeded to fix a punctured tyre with a new inner tube. Which proved to be hard as the tyre was very tight on the rim.
Task accomplished only to realise the front of said bike has a flat and needs new front brakes…. Claire’s bike had the front wheel removed and it was placed into a bike bag. Now, you are not allowed bikes on Stagecoach buses even in bags but I strode to the bus stop bike bag on shoulder and the kindly bus drivers let me on; important as I was pushed for time needing to get back for a kind lift from Mark to a meeting. On getting back I realised Claire’s bike had a puncture on the front tyre on the seam of the inner tube, so effectively knackered.
On arrival at the meeting and set up, the weather had dropped in temperature making it a tad nippy with a wind. But we had a good meeting nonetheless despite being thin on the ground over the Easter weekend. I took three photos of Christ Church in Ashton with its wonderful organ that was built 6 years before the death of Queen Victoria. And I received a lovely present in the form of a book of walks for Mull and Iona from my friend Debbie.
Returned home to home made stew and the delight of being able to watch Big Trouble in Little China. Legendary. And also replaced the inner tube on the front wheel of Claire’s bike. Oh, and have munched away on Lotus Biscoff chocolate biscuits. Ah……
Smile, because we can.
Smile because you can, and Varley and I did in order to goad the excellent David Edmundson-Bird. Why? Because he refuses to smile despite an excellent write up on ChatGPT.
Today involved a good couple of hours with a fav’ person in a fav’ convenient haunt. I travelled in today to Carluccio’s in Manchester Piccadilly for a personal and business chat with Mr Mark Varley, and useful it proved indeed. Carluccio’s is buried deep in my memory of meetings. Never too busy, good coffee, good food, friendly staff, and great when you cannot be arsed walking into the NQ, especially when it’s pissing it down.
It was a good meeting chatting as to consultancy, speaking events at Lancaster University, the industry, family, across to the elections in the UK and US. Connection is something that is so important to me. From a business perspective; yes, we all get that. But we also benefit spiritually and emotionally from meeting peers.
David Edmundson-Bird
There was connection. I shall explain. I noticed Mr E-B had written a cracker of an article on ChatGPT and of worthy reading. Prescient, knowledgeable, and explains the bleeding obvious impact on your SEO amongst other things. However I felt he ought to smile. He pointed out that smiling was weakness and the conversation deteriorated into black humoured banter thereof. So Mark and I thought we’d smile for him (and wind him up.)
Do read E-B’s article because it makes important points as to the conflict of AI, brand integrity, useability, and honesty.
Manchester, NQ, Peeps, Metrolink Ticket Collectors, The Rozzers, Ashton.
The always ever cheerful Richard Gregory
A good day was had in unexpected cold and the slight rain of the NQ in Manchester where I met three people I had not met in a while. Only one gets a photo mention as I forgot to snap the other two. But never mind. The journey home was livened up by people being nicked off trams at Piccadilly for ticket evasion. Life is never dull in Madchester. (Oh, and I had an enjoyable few minutes perusing Fred Aldous in the NQ for gift ideas; one of which were mugs covered in hand drawn willies or boobs - depending on today’s preference.)
Anyway I refrained from purchasing the porcelain of naughtiness and made my way back to Piccadilly for a tram to Ashton and more on that.
First meeting of the day was a well overdue and colourful bitch and stitch session with Danielle Bromley who I have known for a while and someone I rate on a par as a sales and commercially led person in the business. Not to mention she’s sane, which says a lot in this game. I would like to publically mention that her offspring, in my humble opinion, have the best Mum ever. Mind you she was rolling eyeballs at needing to take a phone call from school on behalf of a sick youngster that belongs to her. Danielle dealt admirably in the moment by saying she was in Manchester, could do nothing, and if she could not contact her mother then said child was the property of school for a few hours. Proper Mothering if you ask my opinion. No Snowflakes in that family!
Joining us for the second meeting was and is the lovely, serene Mick Style avec bobble hat and I wish I had taken a photo since I can confess to never having seen Mick in a bobble hat in town and it threw Danielle and myself if honest. We had a really good natter as to his cycling recently in Spain which certainly wet my whistle and also caught up on some interesting business ideas and contacts. It was good to see him looking so well. I am glad he is thriving outside of the big network agency scene.
Last but not least was lunch with Richard Gregory at Yard & Coop on Edge Street in the NQ. Clearly home of anything as long as it is chicken.
Mind you the food was very nice as was the long overdue chat with Richard. Business and personal stuff was discussed and I also talked Richard through my moving to the Isle of Mull in a few months, whilst he told me of NY bound plans for his 50th in two weeks, of which I was jealous. He was good, is a good guy, and was on good form.
On the way back I did take some random photos around Stephenson Square and Tariff Street; it has changed, a bit.
Metrolink Ticket Collectors and The Rozzers
I am not sure if it was a slow news day on the ticket collector enforcement front for the girls and boys of Metrolink, but by heck they were mob handed with the Police at Piccadilly this lunchtime, apprehending any poor soul failing to have bought a ticket. Identified, straight to the Police, novelty hand bracelets attached, then frog marched off in full public view. It was a somewhat dystopian moment, especially as I was listening to Fahrenheit 451 on Audible on my headphones. But suppose paying the fare is only fair? (Geddit?)
I now finish off this post in Ashton’s Costa Coffee in my best bib and tucker including a rather nice Bee shirt before I head home to relax, maybe have a nap - Richard welcome to the 50’s.
2 pictures and 2 different found us
It is a funny old world in my life at found us in terms of locations. I currently type from Costa Coffee in Ashton under Lyne, and Claire was on a walk in Tobermory earlier and sent a photo of the bay. I’ll be there for the Easter hols. Just thought it funny in terms of locations and the juxtaposition of the two images (Tosser use of big word alert.) It is funny how location can alter the business mentality I have, its reception, and how I approach things. For example, Tobermory and Mull lend themselves to calm, thoughtfulness, and a considered approach to life and business and a distinct lack of not chasing money.
Sunday 24th March 2024
Been tidying up the website and discovering some wobbly internal links (D- and must do better as official web master) and thought I’d write a brief entry.
Ashton town centre has been nice today and not crowded, in fact positively civilised. I suspect people are out enjoying the nice weather. Blue sky with fluffy clouds which make me smile as I think of the song Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb. A legendary song by a legendary duo, and I groan as I now realise it was released in November 1990. Christ on a Bike that was 30 years ago and I was three months into my first year at the University of Lancaster.
I’ll have to head back to the house in Dukinfield for the simple reason I am starving and have food that will otherwise go to waste. But may grab another coffee en route, from Starbucks.
Slow day today in my being sedentary but have already got a lot done on the laptop.
Biz meetings and new business
Am out in Manchester next week if you fancy a catch up and am on the hunt for new business in the form of senior head hunting briefs and consultancy work. But not desperate. Quality not quantity and in the words of Basil Fawlty, no riff raff please.
“ Master the topic, the message, and the delivery.” — Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, Apple.
I deliberately dug this quote out of the bag, well that is a lie, I used Google to search for a good quote on writing content and chose this one out of three from the search results. One of the other quotes is below. Why content? Me being a smart ass? No. Because I am re-reading Fahrenheit 451. Well, listening on Audible if honest. I am lazy and that’s okay. And it is 4.27am on Saturday 23rd of March and I cannot sleep.
And what is Fahrenheit 451? It the temperature at which books burn.
For anyone who relishes or for that matter writes, consumes, uses, or has content play a part in their life this is a must read book. A testimony to the power of content and of how it can be controlled by the unscrupulous or more frighteningly the lost.
Job’s quote is double edged. I shall explain.
Good writing is important for conveying something that is important to you. That’s the substance of your content. Know you topic. What is it that burns you up? That’s important because it is the passion. Next, how do you say what you want to say? What’s your Prose? How is this consumed or interpreted by readers? Yet delivery in this day and age is vital and Job’s was a master of the last two elements. Topic? Computers and stuff. Bit dull if you ask me. He mastered the message and delivery.
Job’s quote can be viewed as sinister. If one thinks of content as this three step process then we have a very simple way in which content can be consumed to nefarious means. Set topic, message to to the masses, deliver en masse. Sound like Populism? You bet ya!
Books and what they contain have been outlawed and are burnt by Firemen
The crux of the novel (sans spoilers) is that books and thus content is outlawed to the masses and instead the Parlour or interactive technology as Bradbury describes it delivers defined content. Does this sound familiar? Society and its characters become devoid of emotion, of life itself.
This is my worry with books, and content, and all the SHIT that now appears on the Web and is so easily consumed via Jobs second and third elements from his quote; ease of message and delivery. I allude to social media, Apps etc. and it is worrying. The advertising community is helping dictate content via the search engines hence the term Search Engine Optimisation.
Here is another quote to elaborate on what I think.
Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.– Leo Burnett.
It is the simplicity with which people can be convinced that have been leveraged by the advertising and of course Politicos. Simple (“They, Our”) media is messaging that is delivered via an easy to use and access channel(s). The message of a brand across to that of a political party and it’s theme. Hence the term “Their, Our” Media - the media of organisations or brands, and people can be brands. This is mass media in its purest form. You will and do consume what “We, They” have to say.
Hang on a minute you cry… You are writing for your blog and Pot, Kettle, Black. So WTF are you doing?
Peter Cobley’s thoughts
Neatly summed up via a paragraph from Wikipedia that summarises how Bradbury felt and I certainly feel.
“In later years, he described the book as a commentary on how mass media reduces interest in reading literature.[8] In a 1994 interview, Bradbury cited political correctness as an allegory for the censorship in the book, calling it "the real enemy these days" and labelling it as "thought control and freedom of speech control."[9]”
We are all seeing a challenge to freedom of speech, but this is phrase that has been worn out and become misunderstood in popular vernacular.
I do embrace the dissemination of content that the Web has allowed for and created; shifting control of media from “They” Media of the traditional Press/Media Barons to “My” media as created by me and others. Unfortunately two things have happened that warrant concern and need redressing before the balance shifts too much into dystopia and we have to fight a rear guard action.
Under the cover of “My Media”, my ability to create content, the big boys of business, politics have snuck in under the guise of how great the Internet and Web is and of benefit to all to peddle their shite. See Citizen Kane. And remember the phrase, “ A wolf in Sheep’s clothing.”
“My Media” of the newly empowered individual has taken a nose dive with a vast quantity of further shite appearing across digital media. You could argue I do the same and stop reading what I write. People have been influenced by the type of message and it’s delivery (remember the Job’s quote) and are aping what the big boys and girls do rather than be authentic and real and true. All content thus blends into one, including audio visual and becomes a societal pastiche with no originality. A far cry from the heritage that literature evolved from - fiction, biography, social commentary, parody. Think of Shakespeare or Thackeray for example.
Note that Press Barons of old (Citizen Kane was allegedly based on Hurst) have now morphed to the likes of Google or Facebook (Messaging carriers) allowing a Pandora’s Box of shite to hit the airwaves. There is no POLICING of this, but…
The concern of a Governmental policing takes us down a slippery slope of who decides what is correct content. Yikes. Best left to people to decide what is content that needs consuming. Been going on for years since Adam was a lad. What government needs to do is batter and kick the content carriers who in my opinion are facilitating the shite. In old money we need more virtual printing presses and need to expose Zuckerberg across to Musk for what they are, Wolves in Sheep’s clothing. The base utilisation of content to generate money. Police them by all means but allow for more carriers.
The bloody frightening addiction of online and digital
This goes hand in hand with what I have just written previously. Topic, Messaging, Delivery are clouded and become further clouded as we sign up to non-stop drivel via addictive technology and this worries me. Have a read of the Fahrenheit 451 and of how Bradbury blends technology into the book in the 1950’s and you’ll see how prescient he actually was, or fooking hell very true to later life.
Again from Wikipedia as I am being lazy.
“In writing the short novel Fahrenheit 451, I thought I was describing a world that might evolve in four or five decades. But only a few weeks ago, in Beverly Hills one night, a husband and wife passed me, walking their dog. I stood staring after them, absolutely stunned. The woman held in one hand a small cigarette-package-sized radio, its antenna quivering. From this sprang tiny copper wires which ended in a dainty cone plugged into her right ear. There she was, oblivious to man and dog, listening to far winds and whispers and soap-opera cries, sleep-walking, helped up and down curbs by a husband who might just as well not have been there. This was not fiction.[81]”
Where are we going as people, as society, as individuals?
This all worries me, as one who was almost lost himself.
We need to act before it is too late.
We need to read, to write, to read and write together, to stick two figures up at those who feel they can both dictate what is content and how it is delivered.
Do get out there and write or go and buy a ticket for an independent play or show.
Responsibilty
We all have a role to play in taking action and stopping this decline and decay into puerile content and more so those who peddle it, especially people like me who work in advertising. We do know better.
Talking about consulting over a coffee
A video “bit” following on from the blog post I wrote earlier today as to consulting and what it means for me.
I’d just had a contact lens appointment at Boots Opticians in Ashton under Lyne and wandered into the Costa Coffee; and am now uploading this at the Starbucks by Asda where there is better bandwidth. TikTok tick, YouTube tick, Instagram tick, Pinterest no tick and proverbial pain in the arse.
Consult, consult, consult. Erm, just help
Consulting can be a maze and all you can see is a wood and no trees. Trepidation, frustration, waste of money? A proverbial Gordian Knot. But brute force (graft) equates to action. Action slices through your knot whether client or consultant. Drop the BS Consultant. Client, what action is needed from outside source/stimulus?
Consult is a big work in big business and one that I use but also get fed up of. What is consulting? Snake oil? Pithy words easily sold? Pithy words easily taken and paid for? In fact a quick Buck?
Goyt Valley, Bredbury - March 2024
Sat here on a Thursday relaxing and thankfully getting rid of this dratted cold and cough. Stuff to do that includes volunteer work with OCD Action from 11am - 1pm. But I am allocating some time as to found us. Few e-mails to people and business contacts, rest as still drained, and some web work including this blog.
Consult, business “cuddle”, chat, or action?
I prefer action and always have done. To me I try not to dress up what I do when working with others, just deliver. If honest I was like others, the market, the advertising business as I would look to use big words and plans. I now call this polishing the turd and this is the proverbial advertising turd, and a turd that I no longer wish to polish.
With a bit of time, experience, personal illness, and getting more serene and tolerant with age I realise that my role is to act as one of a team, a pal, a friend, and someone who should look at speaking my truth, being honest, and focus more on the moment versus grandiose plans delivered as an armchair general.
This has had quite a huge impact in how I deal with clients and their businesses. The truth hurts is a very old adage but one I am now comfortable with.
So what is action?
Really straightforward and oft forgotten. It is about getting involved with detail way before applying anything, whether that be what you know or from a book, or a plan.
Money, money, money
I have always known that money and cashflow are the most immediate things that can scupper a business. And something that I look at daily with a business, just how much working cash do we have and what is the daily burn rate? I am not too bothered as to assets and liabilities as these are not per se immediate problems.
Looking at salary and rent are big ones. Salaries including expenses and rewards keeps people motivated and people work to live and not the other way around.
Paying suppliers is another huge one for me, morally and sensibly. There is nothing worse than waiting for a bill to be paid and this applies to our suppliers.
This gives me an immediate handle on cash and what we can do with it. Important in the service industry that is advertising.
(Assets and liabilities can be examined later, but one thing to note is that I always like a business with money aside for emergencies. Ideally I like a business to be able to trade for a quarter without issuing an invoice.)
Sales and Marketing
We then have selling the business, its people, and letting everyone know what you do and that they should engage with you. Simples?
We can be more simple.
WHATS - What are we selling, how do we make it, what area do we sell in, to whom do we sell it to, and what are out special features?
I always like to lift the bonnet and have a look at the engine. Is what we sell sellable? Is it what the market wants and needs, or are we flogging a dead horse? Questions that must tie into the “to whom” are we selling? Who are our clients, punters, people we like working with and what do they think of our service and product?
The rest of the acronym is self explanatory.
People, staff, colleagues
Always important to try to sit down with all members of staff, and that’s all staff and not just managerial. Information must flow from the ground up and not down. Takes time, but worth it. People and what they do are the bread and butter of the standard advertising firm. And how they do it is so damn important. It is all very well to say, “what’s the margin?” That’s a given. But are we honestly delivering good service, product, and value for money? Do our staff and clients have pleasure in what we do? Life is for living and seizing a moment. Past has gone, so don’t dwell on it or you are playing catch up in real time, and thus also jaundiced what is to come.
Plans, yawn, plans
Planning is important, very important, but don’t miss the wood for the trees. It is very easy to get wrapped up in planning and not to do anything.
My philosophy is to hit the ground running and figure it out afterwards. Information is important and its immediate acquisition allows for action, plans can sadly stifle this, and you need to be aware and this is why it is important to have communication with staff.
Oh and always keep your feet on the ground.
AND THAT ALSO MEANS ASKING FOR HELP. Giving advice means being humble enough to ask for help from staff and people you know. Some consultants can be aloof and arrogant. Don’t be, this is poor and leads to mistakes. No one person is infallible.
Meeting Peeps in the NQ and Ancoats
Today was a good day, despite having a horrid cold with hacking cough, as I ventured by tram from Ashton into central Manchester to catch up with three old advertising comrades for a natter over coffee. Very productive and well met with people I have known for years.
The first person was met at a prompt 9.30am, but in fact I was 10-15 minutes late due to underestimating the tram journey to see the very unique Mark Varley. We met at Foundation on Lever Street and it was interesting to see Manchester’s Northern Quarter still resembling a Costa Del Sol building site. The coffee was very strong, but nice, and drove some good nattering between a pair of individuals who started their careers together in London a few moons back.
In fact we are both so prehistoric that we can remember using dial up modems and the Mosaic Browser. And it was Mark who introduced me to a sh*t new search engine that had no content or advertising called Google.
It was interesting to hear that the advertising market is flat at the moment and will probably remain so until two elections happen. One here, one across the pond, and may the Lord have mercy on our souls.
Mark and I had a good chat over consulting, an area we work in and one we are looking to develop, both mulling over working together again. And we both are lucky to have straddled offline and online media and so can add a certain something when working with companies at senior level. And we’ve held a number of board positions previously and gained a lot of useful experience, not to mention having the privilege of working with some clever people.
Next was a quick walk into Ancoats to catch up with someone who can only be described as a character. This being Simon Wharton of PushON, the established eCommerce consultancy and a company I rate and well led by the front of house Simon. Interestingly it was good to catch up with him having recently referred a Shopify build from a large luxury car dealership brand.
It was nice of Simon when being photographed to pose with his legendary resting bitch face.
Simon kindly brought me up to speed with the eComm’ market including platforms such as Magento, and it was interesting to hear how PushOn does not just advise on eCommerce and tech, but has a razor sharp marketing team that specialises in eComm’ executions - certainly worth bearing in mind, and why I recommend PushOn.
We chatted as to family and friends in the beautiful Beehive Mill in Ancoats, before I moved onto the next meeting.
The next catch up was with the wonderful Heidi Kenyon-Smith at Another Heart to Feed on Hilton Street back in the Northern Quarter. I’ve known Heidi for a number of years and originally helped her move from client side to agency, and she has now moved back to client side as General Manager of the female brand Simply Be, where she excels.
We chatted family especially her two children, Betty and Ralph, and my heading up to the Isle of Mull to be with Claire later in the year. Heidi was clearly saddened at the number of redundancies at Dentsu where she worked previously; which in my opinion is so short sighted and will have extreme consequences for the UK business. Yet again, London always seems to know best about the regions when it comes to the advertising business and time will tell.
We only had an hour before I had to head to Piccadilly for a train for another meeting, spluttering with a cough as I went.
It was a good day. That’s it. A good day with nice genuine people.
The State of the Nation (found us)
Me again after a hiatus, and some Saturday night waffle. Not much and more a question of my easing myself back into found us and the consulting that comes with it.
I have missed Manchester and enjoyed heading in to the centre recently to catch up for a natter with an old friend in the form of Gareth Rees of mSix&Partners.
So, as I get myself back into meetings I learn about the business currently in the North, and it appears to be flat for a lot of companies and people, and sadly some people have lost their jobs as some redundancies bite. However change is a good thing for people, and I believe in the universe directing our path within it. So do embrace change. I know I have and do,
I still excel in head hunting for senior roles within the advertising industries, and as ever also act as a non-exec or simple “gun for hire” for up and coming companies in the offline and online industries.
At the moment I am on the hunt, and don’t hesitate to contact me.
Whilst I am down here in England, Claire my wife is in Scotland teaching at Tobermory High School. A distance away and I miss her dearly.
A day in the life of Ethan Hunt.
It was Sunday and it had been a busy day. Morning and lunch at the house packing things for the forthcoming removal people who will cart all up to Bonnie Hamilton in Scotland. Then lunch with Muver over from Macclesfield, and finishing off with a coffee with a good friend. Then finishing off with watching Mission Impossible 3, where I can write and not have to think too hard whilst watching the film. Funnily enough I only ever watched the first two films.
I kinda wonder if Ethan Hawk ever stops, and for that matter myself. And Sunday night I was in fact free floating. Nicely relaxed in a warm room whilst Storm Isha leathered the heck out of Manchester. Claire is safe in Mull and I cannot wait to see her at February half term. That said she has said it is a bit wild up there.
So Sunday night and found us and achievement.
As individuals we can forget to look after ourselves, focusing on the job in hand, family, friends, co-workers, employees, the job, the business and so it goes on. That is the nature of successful people I suspect. Over working, over serving, over compensating, over achieving.
Over achieving
I want to focus on this one word - achieving. Let us get back to the absolute basics of the word. But before that what do we mean when we say achieve or we are over achievers? We normally mean it in a ambitions context. That such a person is driven, achieves what they desire and strive for, and in today’s society it comes with status and material gain. But not always. This I argue is the definition as we see it today.
Lifted from Google
So, if the evolution of the word means to bring things to a head, or to use courage , skill, effort to achieve a desired result we can play around with the word and look at Ethan Hunt. Huh?
Over achieving can be looked at in terms of self. What can one achieve? And this also applies to Ethan Hunt and ourselves. What can we achieve as natural over achievers if we look to self? Or the word as not influenced by today’s corruption. Do we have a chance to stop flying about in our own Mission Impossible? Note the word impossible. One Thing that I learnt is that we have volition and can choose to achieve serenity and peace of mind, and in the long run this leads to achievement in other areas as we become balanced in life. Over achievers, and I was one were and are in an impossible situational lifestyle that cannot be sustained. It does not engender true peace of mind or happiness and we chase what society deems achievement.
Why not be an over achiever in terms of doing nothing, nowt, nada, relaxing, chilling, vegetating etc.? The ultimate being happy and developing self.
What does Peter do?
Here is some of what I do to make sure I do have down time, and this list is not mutually exclusive.
Meditation. Never tried it? Have a look at the great and free Insight Timer. You can listen to music, talks, meditations, and search via topics. For example I have enjoyed meditation and talks on OCD from which I suffer from. The App is a great introduction to this area.
Support groups. Talking to people outside of loved ones and friends is vital when it comes to dumping problems, questions, feelings, emotions, resentments into an open forum where others can candidly feedback as to your and others behaviour. Unloading mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is part and parcel of well being. And it leads to growth.
One of the easiest ways in which to access a group is to search via Google or leverage an interest you have. For example I love fell running and can meet people with a similar interest who can become confidants, especially when running ultra races in the wilds. Or just search for “local support group”.
Organisations. Two good ones, and there are many, are Mind and Sane. Now one might think that you need to suffer from mental illness or be nuts to go to these charities. Well, that is incorrect. A lot of well being in today’s society revolves around mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Outside of these are independent organisations that could be a community café or a Buddhist centre. Point is these are places where you can go for “me” time, time out from the rat race. A good example is Manchester Buddhist Centre.
Reading. An old fashioned method of chilling out, learning, and having down time from your world of being an over achiever. And what’s nice is that you can read books to enhance your own knowledge and growth in you don’t fancy a bodice ripper of a yarn. Lots of books, lots of authors. One I would suggest that helps swap the stress of over achieving for living in the present is Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now.
TV, Radio, and audio. Over achievers don’t have time for TV, radio, or forms of audio. Well they think they don’t and they should. Now I am not suggesting sitting down in front of the idiot box, but what I tend to do is read reviews of what is good to watch and then watch it. I also find that on a separate monitor I can watch a low attention demanding film whilst carrying our a task. Make time via TV if you are not a reader. And have you ever considered being a radio buff? I love Radio 4 and Radio 6. Give Radio a try in a quiet room or when carrying out a task, as it does help you relax. Other audio that I delight in is Audible and it is not the only platform, for example there are Podcasts galore across to on demand content.
These forms offer time out and can now be utilised on a laptop or phone, anytime and anywhere.
Time out is so important and make plans for it.
Exercise. A big one for me but not at the moment and this has been the case for a few weeks. Like all of the above pick and choose for your situation. I am having a rest from exercise in order to not be compulsive and allow me to do other stuff. You see, chilling can be anything you want.
I won’t bore you with the details but I fell run, cycle, and outdoor swim. At the moment it is only the cycling as a means to get to places.
Point is that exercise is an easily consumed down time activity.
Conclusion
I’d always worked and played at frenetic speeds being a professional over achiever, thinking hard work and exercise delivered results and happiness. Wrong, very wrong. You see a true over achiever excels in all areas and that includes self. Modern day over achievers forget this and throw too much into work and other forms as modern society expects. I discovered a more holistic approach to life (see Eastern approaches to spirituality) and started to look at 8am - 6pm working only, and time for me where I could let my mind go adrift from business and status led over achieving. I focused on over achieving for me and took time to sit with me in casual pursuits. It works, it really does.
Some books I’ve read, I wish to share.
I thought it would make a change to write a blog about writing and recommend nine books that I found fascinating and have led to a change in behaviour.
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
I was introduced to the book by a friend and what a read. It sits at the top of the list of books for a reason, and it’s front cover leads this blog entry. You are reading this on a computer or mobile phone, more likely on a phone, and this will be part of technically led consumption that also happened before and after. Maybe you looked at social media, maybe the bank account, maybe the news. It does not matter. What matters is the lack of awareness we now have of our usage and consumption of content via technology and the technology itself; of how it affects our dopamine reward centre, of how this content and underlying technology is constructed to harness our reward centre in a not too salubrious or moral way. It helped me understand fully (and bear in mind I come from the advertising industry) my technical, online, and web addiction and how this occurred. With this addiction time was haemorrhaging from me in a horrendous way, and I became aware of this and could take action.
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Time-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry
Not sure where to start with this one, written by a legendary figure, and a must for anyone who consistently works with people in their life. Written coming up to a 100 years ago the parallels it has with a contemporary book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is surprising, but also not. Awareness of people and specifically yourself are long term themes of humanity. It focuses on the concept of keeping it in the moment, and of days as bite size chunks. It is a really important read but one that is forgotten about.
This brings me to the next book which has achieved a somewhat contemporary cult status as being the singular must read for living in the moment mindfulness. I’d say both yes and no to this belief and would heartily recommend that you need to read both books together. Tolle’s approach I would argue is more on the metaphysical, whereas Carnegie strikes a more practical and realistic approach. Both together helped me understand life as a series of moments and of how to harness these moments to achieve dreams, goals, results, whatever you want to call them. I’d certainly read both as a guide to mindfulness in real time.
The next book helps with your dreams/goals, and the implementation of plans to achieve these. An interesting read backed up with evidence.
Atomic Habits: the life-changing million-copy #1 bestseller Paperback – 18 Oct. 2018
It is a cracking read on how we humans tick. It helped me understand that my life and me are a series of habitual routines, and sub routines to power the leading routines. Analogous to how a computer or algorithm works. It is from the knowledge I gained from this book that helped assist me in planning techniques, of creating habits upon habits to achieve results.
Soft Sell: The New Art of Selling (Soft Sell: Use the New Art of Selling to Create Opportunities & Close More Sales)
A big image for a big book in my opinion and one that every business person ought to read in order to learn how to sell correctly in a bilateral way that aids both parties. I always found with selling that it was like an iceberg with a lot of the hard work beneath the waterline and the actual sale the smaller part. Soft Sell really helps with understanding how to identify your customer base, how to create the sales pipeline, of how you then create the sale; which is the finish to a long thought-out process. It has a bias to the AIDA process by which I was trained. A must read for sole traders or small businesses that don’t necessarily have room for a trained sale person.
The Magic of Thinking Big
Another big book, hence the big image. It is a book about working with people in a way that is true to yourself and others. It was written a number of years ago and still holds its power now in guiding you to live in a moralistic and ethical way as you strive for your dreams. It helped teach me that the way to another is via kindness, humility, and help. And that others give back as you give them. Worth a read if you believe in getting along in your career in a “nice” way.
The Shallows: How the Internet Is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember
I’ve put this book in the list and before you say it is the same as the earlier Irresistible let me have a word in your ear. This book focuses exclusively on the Internet/Web, an important medium for us all, and especially via social media is now a double edged sword. It has opened up our world, facilitated communication, disseminated knowledge, enabled and facilitated many tasks that we take for granted, e.g. not getting lost! But like any medium it can be abused and used to achieve the aims of others, and in this case media owners/technology companies. Carr in his book names them, including Facebook, and you need to be aware of their impact in creating an addiction toward the Internet/Web, and in being aware one can break this.
The Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness
The phrase Chimp Paradox is a bit of a cliché but this book is worth a read so you can get a grip on that pesky mind of yours and how it works. It simplifies the way in which the brain works for the layperson. It provides tips for managing the mind to achieve goals, but more importantly on being happy.
Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams
And last but not least sleep and a book that explains in detail what it is, why we need it, how to obtain it. Your average worker in advertising works, works some more, and then some more. And as a result is generally sleep deprived and does not comprehend the impact on themselves, or performance, or mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. All sounds fancy and convoluted but it is not. People are not aware of performance degradation when their sleep hygiene is deficient, and time expands to fulfil tasks instead of the converse. We would all like a 9-6pm job in advertising, with the odd long one; well read the book.
Gizza Job (tips on getting a senior role)
Boys from the Blackstuff*
The very phrase, being the age I am, reminds me bleakly and tragically of the breakdown of a man in the Thatcherite period, and the grinding down of a community. But it also shows a charm, a resilience, and human spirit in the face of extreme loss and adversity. And this is what is key for senior people who are looking for a role, or find themselves out of a role in today’s climate.
I am not suggesting in any way shape or form that we have entered the Thatcher period of discontent that I lived in and witnessed back in the 80's. But we have a taste of it now sadly with the current economic and political climate.
I am senior and need a job
Going back to our fictional character Yosser Hughes, we need to become survivors and rely upon ourselves, our instincts, and control what is within our hands, not outside, whilst having a clear handle on our mental well being. Senior people are dynamic, intelligent, driven, and problem solvers, relishing challenges. I do not suggest they will crumble as Yosser sadly does; times are different.
Key failings of senior people
Key failings of senior people is a) sitting on their achievements, b) waiting on others to contact them, c) having an helicopter view on things. d) not shouting about themselves, e) a habit of delegation which ties into point b, and lastly f) only using traditional means of networking.
I’ll address each point accordingly.
Please use the 2 A’s to make change.
A - be aware of a defect. Awareness of an issue is key.
A - accept the defect. You need to accept the defect. Don’t ignore it.
A - action the defect. Do something.
a) YOU cannot dine out on past glory or achievements. I am not being facetious here as senior people have obviously achieved. This is more applicable when in a current role, i.e. you can show current work. When unemployed you cannot dine out again on what has past as you are in an isolated situation. Merely reciting achievements and victories does not place you in the present. So you need to explain to a prospective employer what your plan is, and what their plan could be with your help; of how they can achieve their commercial objectives, and personal objectives. Businesses are people with wants and needs - don’t forget this. It is about peer to peer connection. Stating the obvious I may be, but it is surprising how many people regurgitate past glories.
b) senior people for the most part have an ego, head in the clouds, and are used to people coming to them. Senior people have to realise that when looking for a job or unemployed does not warrant the phone ringing or an influx of e-mails, or social media messaging. You have to come out of the ivory tower, be humble, ask for help, and take it.
c) senior people and experienced ones take a macro view of things from what they have learnt in business, delegating the micro to others. You now have to deep dive and go micro. In layman’s terms roll the sleeves up, job hunt yourself, do not rely on recruiters solely, including me.
d) in most cases senior people let other people talk about themselves. Now is the time to shout loudly about yourself, and read below on this.
e) the art of delegation is important in a senior role otherwise you cannot survive. But delegation can be a dangerous thing with a career as a senior person. Your past ambition, drive, action, may have left you, as are likely job hunting and interview skills. Relying on others has to be reliance on self (compare to point b earlier.)
f) and finally is using old behaviours, especially in the area of networking. A word that amuses me and replaces the time honoured phrase of making friends. At senior level “friend” making occurs at events, meetings and the like - these are outside organised activities . We have to shift to personal activity now, and more on that below. (Get up and make new friends, as old friends cannot be relied on to act, tell the truth of you and your situation, and take you and your attributes for granted. There is familial and friendship complacency.)
Gizza Job and Yosser Hughes - don’t lament over your career
When having been in a senior role you can sort of find yourself at a lose end if unemployed or in need of looking for a job. Especially when hitting the 40’s and wondering “is this what it is all about?” A vague sense of being lost can grip you, not to mention wondering what’s next and what to do.
Get a routine (look after your mental wellbeing.) You undoubtably have one and it will need adjusting to make time for job seeking. Include work on your role hunting each day, though not a huge amount of time. In this case a little bit at a time works as it keeps spirits up, and fits in with your schedule. I suggest an hour a day if serious about getting a new role within three months. HelpGuide.org has a really useful article on job loss and unemployment, which can also be used when looking for a job or garden leave. Have a look at this useful Mind article that includes links to self-care.
Plan, plan, plan. But don’t plan too much. A role should not be viewed in isolation. Where does this role fit within your goals in life, or as I prefer your dreams? Where do you want to be. This is what I mean about planning - plan your life and time with loved ones, not purely a role as it is merely a means to an end. Set goals/dreams, plan around them, stick to them and action them. Simple - we all remember SMART. Have a look at Businessballs for help on personal development, goal setting.
Self. Invest in your self and make changes. You are likely to be an old dog that has to learn a few new tricks. Be honest in this situation; you have to be as you now have a great opportunity to instigate much needed and wanted changes. If you have time on your hands maybe consider a course, new learning, time with the family, or time out. It is very easy to research what to do on a sabbatical. There is some really useful information on the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) website on taking a sabbatical.
Ego. As humans we all have one of these, and ambitious achievers more than most… ahem. We have to come down a peg and ask for help. And ask for help with humility. Do not be afraid to talk to friends, families, and contacts. It is vital that you do talk to people, even if you think you are eating humble pie. May be worth reading an article on senior leadership and ego by Jeff Wolf of Wolf Management Consultants LLC.
Relying on others, delegation.
It is normal when in a senior role of responsibility to delegate or rely on others, cross reference to ego! We assume as senior people that stuff gets done and that is where we can become unstuck. Recruiters (to use a generic covering HR across to agencies etc.) can say one thing and do another, and this can include doing nothing… Sadly the world is full of busy people, and people who are also under pressure to hit targets. And if time is needed on you as a candidate you may find yourself at the bottom of the pile, or even worse palmed off. So now is the time to work on a new business - your business - and become the CEO of Me Limited and apply the same rules as you apply in work. Set targets and work to them, and this will involve encouraging people, setting them targets, motivating them, setting reporting metrics. Don’t just sit there resting on your “look what I’ve done to date” laurels expecting someone who does not know the in’s and out’s of Me Limited to act on your behalf without a friendly kick up the arse. There is some really interesting reading on Recruitment.com as to current trends and recruitment.
Shouting out, making friends, self
I wanted to dwell more on these areas as I feel they need specific attention.
At the end of the day the only individual who can do the best for Me Limited is YOU. Yes you. So how do we achieve that?
Be kind to yourself and remember that you are good at what you do, that you are a good person, that you have a wealth of experience and you can harness this.
Shout out about yourself where you can. You may need to keep things quiet if confidentiality is required. But you can shout out to those you can trust. Shout out about who you are, what you are, and what you want in life and of how that can help others. This means you need to turn a mirror on yourself and be honest with a SWOT analysis. Here is a useful article on Business News Daily that also talks about planning after SWOT.
What does shouting out do? It raises self esteem, it shows you are doing something, it sends a message out that you are active and in market. It forces action as you have committed, and lends itself to your attitude and behaviour as a senior leader, i.e. making a statement and committing to it. It become a challenge and we like challenges. It starts a ball rolling mentally with you and with other people.
Which people? Friends, family, trusted business associates. I use trusted as in the advertising, marketing, media business there are some poorly and thus unscrupulous people who would use an intention to move when in a role as ammunition. So please be cautious, and ask people to make introductions where they discover an opportunity. That way you are in control and all can be anonymous. You can set people an approach they should take on your behalf.
With friends, everyone who is a stranger is yet to become a friend. Therefore a contact yet to be discovered. Talk to people, but you can be a little bit more discerning and group all your contacts into manageable groups, for example let us take business contacts. You could score them as Strong, Medium, and Weak. Strong you contact face to face, Medium via phone, and Weak via e-mail. You can decide how to contact and think of the approach, level of detail, and what you want to achieve. Importantly in people relationships ask how you can help the other person. Don’t be selfish. Yet don’t hesitate to call in that favour or ask for help. As a general rule of thumb senior people help senior people as the have an affinity with each other even if initially strangers.
Shouting out can be public if you can be. This means contacting and making use of people you know in trade organisations, events, publishing, social or business groups. Face to face is always useful in chatting to people but it is time consuming. That said ask if you can speak at events, write business articles and contribute to publications. Announce some volunteer work, or what you are up to. After all it is news. Do you know any friends in PR who can help you out? Think, think, think.
Knowing Me, Knowing You?
Have a look at my personal website that reveals more about me; its located at www.petercobley.com, and you are also reading my business website. I have a physical and corporeal presence, but I also have a online or incorporeal presence. Might not be a website, could be LinkedIn, could be Facebook, Instagram, an article I’ve written that appears in search engine results.
Point is we all now have a personal footprint that we both control and can utilise; since we are now in the era of “Me Media” and this is something that we need to be aware of. It is an exciting time being able to tell your story under your control. Yes, your control, since you do not need to submit copy, or let someone else write the copy. We shift from “Them Media” to “Me Media”.
So, some tips and do’s and don’ts
Sadly people are very busy today and frankly it is an age of too much content - as a business person, take your LinkedIn feed for example - and people really don’t have time or cannot be arsed to read stuff. We know also with mobile and laptops that content is consumed in a <1-2 second eye scan (at the most) and this has to be taken into account when talking to people online.
So if no one cannot be arsed to read content, then why the f**k am I writing this?
Answer: if you create content you play a numbers game. The more you have the more likelihood of your being seen and that content being engaged with.
Answer: You need to create a social and non-social media footprint across the web. Social is straightforward (Facebook across to LinkedIn) and non-social is creating a website, a blog, or a bio(for example seem the free and excellent Squarespace BIO.) Non-social also includes your content on 3rd party websites, for example where you write an article for a publisher, an exhibition, an organisation.
You can add to this content, you can tailor your message, you can say what you wish. And the vast majority of this content is free. But PLEASE do PLAN. This is a personal marketing exercise, so please do not throw any old rubbish up, and keep person separate to professional. Consider what it is you want to say when positioning yourself to others when in a role, or not, and looking for approaches, or when people read your content after engaging with you.
All this is your elevator pitch, your expanded CV, your mission statement, your business card.
Answer: SERPS. Search engine search results. All of the content gets crawled and indexed into search engines. People use search engines. People can find you via search engines, people can find your content, and what it stands for, what you want, who you are - AND you can control (optimise) this.
Answer: WHAT’S - a very, very useful acronym. Used as a sales tool but do apply it to yourself when writing, submitting, and selling yourself via content. This bit is important when we come back to actually how long people spend looking at content. Define your audience, target them, use a lose methodology such as this.
What am I selling? Me.
How do I sell me? What do I want to say, and therefore what are my dreams?
What area am selling to? Targeting audiences.
To who am I selling to? Decide on who to chat to by degrees of contact. So, so important in order to obtain results. “Friends, friends of friends, friends am I yet to make.)
What are my special feature? SWOT.
Track what happens. The amount of people who run successful businesses or have done live by metrics and management information. Same rules apply. If you know what’s happening you can make changes and tweak. You can pipeline and take further action. Don’t forget the basics.
There is plenty of information on the web as to building a profile, or a website, using social media, engaging with publishers, exhibitions, of how to network, and of what tools you can use In fact there is a lot out there. Have a look. Or get in touch with me and ask!
HAPPY HUNTING.
*Boys from the Blackstuff
The serial was written by Liverpudlian playwright Alan Bleasdale, as a sequel to a television play titled The Black Stuff. The British Film Institute described it as a "seminal drama series... a warm, humorous but ultimately tragic look at the way economics affect ordinary people… TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture."[1] Wikipedia.
2023 over and out.
Port an t- Slaoichain beach, Isle of Mull
I thought I would write some thoughts down on this blog entry as to 2023 and how it affected found us (oh and me.)
2023 is coming to a close and as been a difficult time for my business, myself, other businesses, people, and well… United Kingdom Limited. Micro factors unique to the UK and macro factors affecting the world have all come into play. But we must not be negative about where we are; it’s all about looking at the positive, the learning and where we are this present moment and where we can be (if we want.) Read below.
My business found us is myself, i.e. Peter Cobley. It has always been me as I was loathe to expand the business and take people on, having been there and bought the t-shirt. I was long overdue a change and this came to a head in 2023, a mere 9 years since setting the business up.
2023 - turgid times leading to worry
I’ve seen the ongoing aftermath of the poor decision that was Brexit, that economically hurt the UK, added to and fuelled a split Europe, aided the rise of Populist politics or Fascism in old money, and can now be seen in the cost of living affecting the UK, the shame of Poland and Hungary, and the disaster that is the Ukraine. We must also not forget the huge impact that COVID brought.
I saw a severe decline in 2023 on the search and selection side of the business as the major players who I worked with ceased to use me and the inevitable redundancies happened. Interestingly on the other side of the business I picked up consultancy work in 2023. I like most people have struggled with the decline in business and tightening of purse strings, compounded by the rise in living.
It was not though as simple as that as I explain below. The downturn was also created by my being poorly, self-inflicted poor behaviour that led me to take a foot off the pedal. The consequences were immense in fuelling and adding to the downturn in my businesses fortunes and thus mine. I stagnated a business at a time when it needed love, growth, support, and action. I learnt a lot, a hell of a lot. Did I mess up, did I screw up? Hell yes.
So it has been a tough business year for me, my wife Claire, and thus financially tough. But this is all relative to other people’s struggles, and all this been hard to watch and hear, and my woes pale into insignificance.
Worry is normal. I am worried as to business. I am worried as to the cost of living. I am worried as to growth and sustainability in the UK economy. And I am certainly worried as to the rise of Populism in Europe and its impact on UK politics as I clearly see a rise of intolerance toward poverty, immigrants, and certainly the disposessed. You see, deep down I am a bit of a Socialist and believe in life as a meritocracy and off giving; and we now witness a UK society of have and have nots. A political elite that is lurching and out of touch.
I worry for friends or people I know who have lost roles within the advertising, marketing, and media industries I work in. I suspect a number of them in “good roles” live quarter to quarter or even worse month to month.
2023 - politics, politicians, blah, blah, blah (oh, and a 2024 election)
I look forward to the election in 2024, which is likely May. We need a change, a big change. But will we get change or end up with the same team in different shirts?
This is a concern. We certainly need the current incumbents in 10 Downing Street to be given their marching orders. Elite and privileged, out of touch, mismanagement, lying… a shame and a stained blob of gravy on UK democracy. **
The impact has been immense in terms of people’s standard of living, the UK’s reputation, not to mention its economy, faith in Parliament has been damaged, and people as a whole have suffered whilst others have prospered. This cannot be right.
Personally I have been affected in terms of mood, hope, faith. It’s all been soul destroying.
To add to this is a potentially bigger election across the Atlantic that will have repercussions for both the United States and the rest of the world.
Myself
I myself have had a somewhat difficult 2023 and I need to be honest about that. I stopped working properly in Q4 of 2022 and it continued into 2023 due to personal illness and poor behaviour which was not pleasant and meant a lot of time off, plus a lot of self inflicted hurt to self and to others that I have to repair, and make amends for.
But in hindsight it was time off from a lot of stress and turmoil, which has given me a chance to evaluate where I was, where I am, and where I can go. Yes, where I can go… I have choices. I have learnt a lot about myself and people and do realise that helping people is definitely the route I am heading down. I have found us and I have my Honorary Teaching Fellow position at Lancaster University, and I commence training in January 2024 to become a Counsellor and Mentor, something I look forward to.
Positive thoughts
In 1888, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche first stated, “Out of life's school of war—what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger.” It is a very much cliched and overused statement but worthy of an entry in my blog.
Ultimately none of us are likely to be Nietzsche’s Superman, but we can at least strive to achieve this. We can be better people and adversity teaches us to connect with people, to share suffering, and value what we are and have, and so learn to be more honest, humble, loving, and giving (or serving.)
It is, I have realised that from adversity, that life’s up and downs teach us so much about ourselves and people. And this is what makes us human. Yet like Calvin we cannot and must not live in stupefying security; we have to take risks.
I took a risk in setting up found us and I have no regrets at all. Has it been easy? No. Have I made it easy? No. Have I screwed up? Yes. Have I offended people, caused doubt, damaged my reputation? Yes. Will I suffer judgement across to isolation? Yes, and a lot is deserved. But I do believe in the immutable fact that I am a good person who has a lot to offer, and had a poor and difficult few years culminating in 2023. The same immutable fact applies to all; that we are all good and capable of great things, even when in a bad patch or demonstrating poor behaviours.
I have fallen off the radar I now realise, yet I don’t see myself as having to rebuild found us. In fact I view this as the further and ongoing journey of my business and myself. As said, some people will judge me, some people will have forgotten about me and my business, some bridges will need building from scratch, some re-built if possible.
But life is about getting on a sledge and taking risks even when not knowing the destination.
Isle of Mull
The picture at the top of the blog is a photograph that I took in August of this year of a beach on Mull and from where I also swam in the sea.
I have always wanted to move to the remoter parts of Scotland with Claire my wife, who is Scottish, and like me an outdoor type.
Claire has obtained a teaching job at the Tobermory High School on this Hebridean island and starts in January 2024. The house is sold subject to completion and I head up later in 2024. If you really want to you can live your dreams despite being in a place of hell or self pity and hate months before. We can all be made stronger by adversity.
found us?
Will continue on from Mull, in fact from anywhere, and that includes Planes, Trains and Automobiles because that has always been the case. Location is of mere insignificance in this world. I mean one of my first senior placements was in Shanghai! And besides I always love travelling to meet people.
Here are some photos of Mull, Staffa, and Iona from August this year.
** Dickens on King Henry the 8th - The plain truth is, that he was a most intolerable ruffian, a disgrace to human nature, and a blot of blood and grease upon the History of England.
Peter Cobley
Isle of Mull
Yes, that’s me. The founder and owner etc. of found us, the beloved company I use to help people in business, and for which I have gained a lot of pleasure.
I’ve not written and posted in quite a while as I have been unwell. There will be more to follow on that. But anyone who is a friend of Bill W. will understand.
I now begin the process of re-building the business at the end of 2023 but daunted I am not. Why? Well I view life as a journey, and where I am with career and business is a part of my journey. And in fact I’ll chuck in the rubbish bin the idea of a process or re-building. Because the business and I are still here and thus my journey is continuous. So what is there to re-build? Plus it is a negative way of thinking and divides life into yes or no, and I am not keen on that. Now with process, I find the word sterile to say the least, and since I and the business are one in the same, and I’m quite eclectic, I don’t think process as a word fits me.
For me I am back working the business after having done other stuff, had other stuff going on (nice word stuff) and I am comfortable with that, since I come back to found us with a smile, new learnings, and certainly a new perspective.
Port an t- Slaoichain
