Got to grow …

A really quick one as I am just about to rush off to my SEED meeting! It’s only the second one, so I haven’t got a clue how it’s all going to work out, but the idea behind it is great. It’s a peer coaching circle for women entrepreneurs, and is part of the SEED network, which was set up by Lynne Franks, PR guru and jungle celebrity! I’ve just noticed on the website, as well, that there’s now a SEED branded ‘Women into Enterprise’ programme which looks excellent. I’m emailed off to find out more because, of course, I’ve got loads of spare time for studying!

I say this having done next to no work at all today. And I am SWAMPED! Came into the office this morning and thought I’d clear the decks of all those irritating little jobs that I’ve been meaning to do for ages, so that I could concentrate on the really important tasks afterwards. A good plan, I thought. Only I spent the next six hours on the ‘phone to various telecomms providers, banks and so on, trying (unsuccessfully) to sort out things that they’ve done wrong! I have come to the conclusion that there are very few big companies who actually offer any kind of meaningful customer service … and that, if they did, it would be one surefire way to wipe out the competition. Twenty minutes with my mobile burning my ear to speak to three different people in three different countries, to get precisely nowhere and then be told to write a letter - it’s just as well I’m a laidback kind of a person! Hmmm!

Anyway, must go now as otherwise I’ll be late for my meeting and that would really finish the day off nicely! I’m looking forward to a large glass of wine and a good bit of female support and encouragement. I think tonight we are going to focus on our current business challenges, which means it’ll probably be a challenge finishing by 9.30pm! But I’m looking forward to hearing other people’s perspectives on my problems and learning from how they approach things. After all, there’s always room for growth, and that’s just how it should be. Keeps life interesting!

There’s more to life than browsing!

I admit it, I have been spending far too much time surfing the web recently, and not enough time in the real world!  It’s just too tempting, when the wind is gusting against the windows, to escape off into the endless exciting possibilities offered by the internet.  Shall I book a holiday somewhere warm and exotic?  After a few hours browsing, I suddenly remember that I’ve got a partner with no holiday left, two small children with far busier social calendars than mine, no money, Christmas and two birthdays to plan and a business to launch.  That’ll be a ‘no’ then!  Okay, so shall I buy a few more bits and pieces to put in the little ones’ stockings?  After a few hours browsing, I suddenly remember that we can’t see the carpet for toys anyway, and more to the point I’d intended to go all zen minimalist this year and avoid the crazy consumerism that is dragging this planet and everyone on it down the pan.  That’ll be another ‘no’ then!  Okay, so perhaps some constructive personal development for the New Year?  Better, but still another few hours’ browsing rather than getting on with what I’m meant to be doing.  I am my own worst enemy.

Having said that, I did discover some interesting stuff whilst being distracted.  For example, I’ve finally been invited to join the beta test of the new social network for social entrepreneurs: UnLtdWorld.  Tried it out this morning and within ten minutes had downloaded a really useful toolkit for sustainable social businesses, invited myself to an event run by Ogunte Global Tribal Network and joined a couple of great-sounding groups.

In addition, I signed up for some free workshops being run by Business Link London, one on marketing with a small budget and one on PR.  As I’ve only got a very small budget for marketing, I suspect I’ll be pinning my hopes on PR, so with any luck they’ll have lots of tips to help.

And last but not least, on a highly superficial note, I also came across (purely by chance, you understand) a photo of David Beckham in the latest advert for Armani underpants.  Now that really was a moment of pure escapism!

Anyway, so much for all that.  My early New Year’s Resolution is to FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.  I will concentrate on my real priorities and steer clear of distractions.  Not even a bare-chested Becks will lure me away from my ‘To do’ list … unless, of course, he’s on it!

PS.  Please excuse this one girlie weakness.  Just put it down to the festive spirit going straight to my head!

Tough one …

Tough old week, that is! Just as I thought I was actually starting to recover from this pesky postnatal illness that’s been hanging over me for the past, oooh, 15 months or so, it’s suddenly come back and bitten me on the bum again! Triggered, of course, by the fact that both my little ones have been poorly … for the umpteenth time, or so it seems. Came back from meeting a friend last night, having had a good old catch-up, only to find that my youngest had thrown up everywhere and was being sponged down in the bath. Not a nice sight. And, of course, it meant that I didn’t get any sleep at all and am feeling distinctly bleary-eyed and down-at-heel today. Hey ho. I guess it’s just one of those things that happens - part of motherhood, life, etc, etc. But when I think about the responsibility of having to deal with stuff like that for the next umpteen years, I really really want to run. All I can say is thank heavens for the nanny, she’s worth her weight in gold. Come to mention it, she probably costs more than her weight in gold! But she means that I can at least walk out the door for a little while, and concentrating on business helps calm me down. So Mummo is making me happier already, and that’s what it’s all about. Don’t know who’s out there reading this, if anyone, but if you’re a mum go and check it out: www.mummo.co.uk. You can register interest now even though the full website won’t be live for a couple of months - that way I can keep you up to speed with what’s going on.

In the meantime, who’s been watching Strictly Come Dancing? I absolutely LOVE that show. It’s definitely a dose of escapism … into a world of passion, romance, satin, sequins and sexy strutting, twirling, whirling, demon dancers. They’ve really upped the ante with the women this year and I’m just wishing I could be one of them.

Anyway, as for business, I’m just debating over the colours for the logo and putting my PR and marketing strategy together.  The big decisions for today are Rubine Red vs Rhodamine Red, do I need letterheaded paper and should a community blog have its own blogroll?!  Answers on a postcard please …