N E RE D W ITH RT A P
Dr Shama Hussain FOUNDER AND CEO OF OF INFLUENCERS TALKS ABOUT WHAT INSPIRES HER
FUTURE VOICES with our Young Ambassadors Onkaar and Avneet WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO BEGIN A BUSINESS? with Steve Pipe GUEST EDITOR Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Founder of 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur
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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
B RI LL I ANC E
B OOK BR I L L I ANC E PUB L I S H I N G
Meet the
team
Brenda Dempsey
Olivia Eisinger
Founder & CEO, Book Brilliance Publishing
Editorial Director, Book Brilliance Publishing
Brenda is an award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, and publisher. A master coach, she is also a bestselling author and woman of influence. Having a prominent and highly successful career behind her as an educator, Brenda has a unique and powerful skill set that has enabled her to consistently facilitate the success and growth of others in many industries. Passionate about writing and publishing, and putting you at the heart of your business growth, Brenda has many influential contacts in both media and editorial, which have ensured that authors and clients of Book Brilliance Publishing have been hitting high levels of success.
An extremely accomplished editor and proofreader, Olivia has a flair for grammar and a meticulous eye for detail. Olivia is a proven expert, having been in the industry for over 14 years, and has worked with authors of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as editing for both private and corporate clients such as magazine publishers, councils and businesses. An avid reader, she is well-versed in the classics and passionate about many genres such as modern fiction, biographies, history, philosophy, self-help and business books.
Clare Clarke Zara Thatcher Production Director, Book Brilliance Publishing A knowledgeable, experienced, publishing professional with over 13 years of success, Zara is a qualified proofreader and editor, and a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing & Proofreading (CIEP). She worked for 11 years as a Production Manager at a successful indie publishing house, working on fiction and non-fiction books, including many diverse genres such as self-help and business titles. Zara is highly skilled in page layout, production, and editorial project management, helping authors throughout their project development.
Graphic Designer Having worked in the industry for over 20 years at three design consultancies and running her own successful business, Clare has vast experience in all areas of design for print. This includes branding, advertising, book design, corporate literature and packaging design for a variety of clients from start-ups to multi-national companies. More recently Clare has been involved in website design, working closely with a web developer, and creating digital assets for various online applications. www.fusion3media.co.uk
Contact us 020 8641 5090 | admin@bookbrilliancepublishing.com www.bookbrilliancepublishing.com Find us on social media:
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A ME SSAGE FR O M B RE N DA
Don’t just dream it. Do it! I am thrilled to have created BRILLIANCE Magazine, Book Brilliance Publishing’s new platform to spotlight and elevate great authorpreneurs. It has been 18 months in the making.
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very book is a business and therefore needs your voice to share your message. At Book Brilliance Publishing (BBP), we know that Marketing and PR are vital to your success. BRILLIANCE Magazine is the place to showcase your BRILLIANCE and let the world know who you are, what your brand stands for, and how you are on a mission to make a difference in the world. To all of the contributors in this inaugural issue of BRILLIANCE, I give you my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for showing me your great leadership qualities by saying YES to this opportunity. To the readers, know these pages are full of thought-provoking topics and great individuals from around the globe. In addition, we are delighted to showcase our Future Voice Ambassadors, Onkaar and Avneet Nijjer, who are waving the flag for the next generation of leaders today. Book Brilliance Publishing is a global publishing house with great creative partners both in the UK and worldwide. We intend to bring you the best of the best and showcase their BRILLIANCE to Inform, Inspire and Influence you and your next step in life and business.
A message from our Guest Editor
I am Bilal Ahmad Bhat, founder of 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur (28COE), a Malaysian company which is a platform for Entrepreneurs and Professionals to Network, Leverage and Brand. We are a close community of 1,000+ members from 90 countries and are growing rapidly. I am delighted to say that we have partnered with Book Brilliance
Publishing and Brenda Dempsey from the UK. We are collaborating with BRILLIANCE Magazine through which we intend to Inform, Inspire and Influence authors, writers, speakers and entrepreneurs and bring out the Brilliance in them. You will find biographies and stories of successful people across the globe that will no doubt inspire you.
Remember, Be Brilliant Always Love Brenda
With this collaboration, I am hoping to unite aspiring authors and entrepreneurs to learn together and progress for a greater cause for self and for the society. Congratulations to Brenda Dempsey, CEO of Book Brilliance Publishing, and her team on the launch of BRILLIANCE Magazine!
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Contents
Dubai
Malaysia
Turkey
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Bilal Ahmad Bhat Founder of 28COE & NEOCS
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Paul Corke
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Dexter Moscow
Poets’ Corner
Keynote Speaker and Influencing Skills Coach
Mark Stephen Pooler
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Mike Roberts
Introducing the Authors of Book Brilliance Publishing …so far!
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Founder & Editor-in-Chief of MSP News Global
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Caroline Purvey
Founder & CEO of TREUK®
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MD of Leadership Innovators and a Speaker For Good
Founder of Making Digital Real and Head of Digital at FRAMA
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Andrea Malam BEM
Founder of Saving Dreams Charity
Networking Brilliance
18 Dr Shama Hussain Founder of International Institute of Influencers
20 Eric Francis Manu Founder & MD of The British Protocol Academy
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Brilliant Bytes
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Australia
India
Germany
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Steve Pipe
Peace Mitchell
Former UK Entrepreneur of the Year and Champion of B1G1
Co-founder of The Women’s Business School, AusMumpreneur and Women Changing the World Press
24 Claudia Bruce-Quartey Founder of Iconic Women Circle
25 Shishir Khadka
Financial Scaling Coach, Founder and Creator of The Cash Flow Hub United Kingdom
28 Kim Rix
The Gemstone Detective and Award-winning Photographer
29 Future Voices 30 Book
Recommendations
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Alison Smith
Professional Astrologer
32 Contributors’ Directory
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THE IM PACT ER ’ S VO I C E
Bilal Ahmad Bhat 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur was founded by Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a serial entrepreneur from Malaysia. He is from a farming background in Kashmir and struggled at the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. As a consequence of the challenging experiences he faced, he wanted to help others learn and grow their businesses through networking and other support. Bilal’s vision included creating a platform to connect people where they can learn together, work together and grow together. Malaysian-based organisation 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur makes sure that recognition is given to its members as well as enabling its members to network and leverage. 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur, known as 28COE, recently celebrated its first Book Launch and Award Ceremony in Dubai on 27th March 2022. It honoured and recognised over 50 members from multiple countries for their outstanding work and dedication in their respective fields.
“My mission is to bring people together so that they can unite, learn and progress.”
“I
don’t want other entrepreneurs to go through the difficulty I have faced in my journey. It is not easy to grow any business without the right mentor and network. My mission is to motivate other young entrepreneurs through the stories of our esteemed members who are all successful entrepreneurs. My mission is to bring people together so that they can unite, learn and progress,” he said. As Entrepreneurs and Professionals, we all love to have, and we all look forward to, recognition for our work. It helps boost our morale and motivates us to do more. The
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28COE is a platform for Entrepreneurs and Professionals to Network, Leverage, and Brand. The key objective is to create and support all aspiring millennials, start-ups, entrepreneurs, business establishments and professional leaders. In return, it will strengthen economic growth by creating an ecosystem that leads to crossborder collaboration and initiatives between investors, stakeholders, policymakers, researchers and entrepreneurial support organizations. 28COE launched its first publication, a book of Quotes in Dubai, with 28 self-written quotes from 200 members. More than just quotes, these are life lessons from
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the experience of highly successful people, which we hope will inspire readers and young entrepreneurs. Along with the first publication, we launched another book called 28COE Core Values, which is an invitation to follow the Core Values of 28COE. These values are not only for entrepreneurs, but are life values for all. 28COE is the first generation in its initiatives for Sustainable Development Goals, and achieving those is central to our core Vision/ Mission for life in all its fullness for every human being by 2030. Our other goals are Quality Education for All Underprivileged, No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health & Well-being, and Decent Work creating Economic Growth and Industries Innovations. Hotel Dusit Thani in Dubai was the backdrop for the inaugural ceremony. A great buzz was generated at the start of the proceedings by the networking session among the attendees, followed by panel discussions, book launches, and a grand award ceremony. More than 150 people attended the event, including business tycoons, ambassadors, Bollywood celebrities, government officials, and esteemed members of 28COE. Apart from witnessing the grand award ceremony, it was an excellent opportunity for the attendees to network with others and find the right people for collaboration opportunities. Punctuating the award ceremony were two-panel discussion sessions, one on Entrepreneurship and the other on Sustainability.
Our Chief Guest, Her Excellency Laila El Atfani, revealed the first look of the Quotes book, followed by speeches from Her Excellency and other dignitaries. The presentation of the award by the founder of 28COE, Mr Bilal Ahmad Bhat, proved a huge success. A few participants couldn’t make it to Dubai, but were able to attend virtually. The event was covered by many local and global news and media outlets and there were multiple promotions on social media. 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur is increasing with more members joining from all over the world. Currently, there are more than 1,000 members from 90 countries. It will launch more volumes of the Quotes book every three to four months in different countries. The second launch takes place on 28th June in Kashmir, India, followed by other events in Malaysia, Turkey, China, and Singapore.
Bilal features in: 1. Capital TV 2. Coffee table book Passion & Commitment – Gratitude section 3. SME & Entrepreneurship Business Award 2017 4. International Business Review SME, Vol.1 & 3 5. Nanyang Siang Pau - China Press 6. PASSION Magazine Vol. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 7. BRITISHPEDIA (Successful People in Malaysia) Vol-1 (2019) 8. MALAYSIA SME (Issue 204)
Stay connected with www.28COE.com
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Introducing the Authors of Book Brilliance Publishing… so far!
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Caroline Purvey Feel It to Heal It An award-winning leader, Caroline is the only UK expert in the Total Release Experience® (TRE). Her unique non-talking, empowering five-step programme helps those suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Andrea A Smith
Karen Espley
Barbara Angela Kealy
Fear Less, Live More
The Impulsive Explorer
Double Deception
Andrea is a qualified Stress Resilience Coach, author and speaker. In Fear Less, Live More, Andrea provides a practical solution to your stress and anxiety.
After 15 years working in the corporate world, Karen realised there was more to life. She took a life-changing trip to the Antarctic which led to her making an impulsive decision to leave the corporate world behind.
Barbara is a Joan Collins lookalike. Her novel Double Deception delves into the mysterious, dark side of fantasy and crime, going behind the scenes of the showbusiness world of lookalikes and tribute acts.
Kevin Hill
Dexter Moscow
Bella Donna
Re-Entry
A Voyage Without My Father
Kevin Hill is the R.E.E.L. – Resilience Expert in Education and Life. Re-Entry is his first book for children, and teaches children how to overcome obstacles so they can build their confidence.
Dexter Moscow is a Keynote Speaker, Influencing Skills Coach and TV presenter. Dexter’s new book is a personal and social history of coping with parental loss and grief, spanning seven decades.
Enchantment: A collection of poems, stories and potions
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Bella Donna has over 30 years’ experience in nursing, psychotherapy and Shamanic Practices. Her mission is to guide you on a unique transformational journey, connecting you to nature and your inner child.
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Brenda Dempsey
Ritu Sharma
Claudia Bruce-Quartey
Resilient Voices
The New Woman
My Hair, My Choice
Brenda Dempsey is the CEO and founder of Book Brilliance Publishing, coach, teacher, mentor, speaker and #1 international bestselling author. She has a love of writing and uses this to assist others in raising their voices.
Ritu Sharma is the founder and CEO of Kaushalya UK, an organisation that is dedicated to empowering women. Her profoundly moving and uplifting anthology features 33 women worldwide sharing their phenomenal stories of transformation.
Claudia Bruce-Quartey is a Ghanaian/German mother of two young children, currently living in Switzerland, and is a champion of diversity and inclusion. Her book My Hair, My Choice is based on her daughter’s personal experience.
Adesola Orimalade
Heather Prince & Jo Baldwin Trott
Shirin Azad
Grandpa’s Shoes
VIBE
The Light of Darkness
Adesola Orimalade was born and raised in Nigeria before relocating to the United Kingdom. His children’s story reflects a family living in a modern multicultural world where hopes, dreams and a bright future are all treasured.
Heather is a Spiritual Response Consultant and author. Jo is a multidimensional mentor & coach, author, lecturer and speaker. VIBE takes you on a journey of discovery through the energy, culture, psychology and spirituality behind colour.
Anne Iarchy
Colin Tansley
Spark of Brilliance
5 Simple Steps to Releasing the Real You
Mastering the Wolf
Poems by Children (Vol 1)
Anne Iarchy is a weight loss and healthy lifestyle coach. After struggling with her own weight loss and confidence issues, Anne has made it her mission to help busy people break free from the diet trap.
Colin Tansley is a former soldier and police officer. Mastering the Wolf is a history of policing and law enforcement over the last 40plus years in the UK and beyond.
Shirin’s lifelong pursuit has been to become an author. Her debut novel explores the effect of earlyonset Alzheimer’s on one man and his family.
All of the poems featured are the top 30 finalists from our first poetry competition, and were composed by Surrey primary school children in Years 5 and 6. You can find the winning poem in our Poets’ Corner feature on page 10.
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Poets’ Corner
My Family of Gods Lucas Jobson, age 10 - WINNER 2021 Spark of Brilliance Poetry Competion
Child of Two Worlds Ann D’Silva
Zeus is in Olympus, Poseidon in the sea. Hades in the Underworld, Apollo’s above me.
I will always be a child of two worlds, of spirit and being, a forgotten past and a future yet to be written, of hope and of turbulent memories of loss, of old traditions and of new connections, of them and of us. I will always be a child of two worlds, a link between these two worlds.
She Ann D’Silva Must I be given a name, then give me a new one, not the same. Let me be a rhyme that’s here to stay, or a rhythm that makes life sway. Magic, moments and memories woven together, a mix of fragrances altogether. Moulded with love and care, born to create, nurture and share. Energy passing through time, undefined like the musical notes of a chime. Mother, daughter, love; always spirited and untamed, different, never the same. Woman I am, that is me, an indescribable mystery to the world is she.
Artemis is hunting, Athena’s out at war. Iris in the rainbows, Demeter’s growing more. Hephaestus forging for the Gods, Dionysus drinking wine. Hermes winging messages, Ares on the battle line. I’m rather keen on Greek myths, Recalling all the facts. I see their different qualities, In my family and their acts. My dad is like Zeus, He’s the God of the sky. Always stuck upstairs, Working to pay our water supply. Which is needed for Poseidon, My brother if you will. Who spends hours swimming lengths, An equal distance to Brazil. My mother is like Athena, She always has a plan. Sharing strategies and wisdom, To make me a good man. I live with two more members, Female goddesses strong and brave. These two fierce young ladies, Match the way we behave. I’d compare my aunt to Persephone, Goddess of the seasons. She is good at growing plants, For many different reasons. The smallest one I’ve got for you, Let’s call her Nemesis in here. She’s always plotting her revenge, My sister’s one to fear!
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I N FO CU S
Mark Stephen Pooler The Power of Public Relations in Today’s Digital World.
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n his spectacular career, Mark has paved his way to bringing many brands into the limelight, thanks to his exceptional skills in reputation management. He is the founder, editor-in-chief, and media and news publisher at MSP News Global. This online portal has changed the fortunes of many individuals in business by transforming them into global business leaders. MSP News Global came to light in 2020 out of Mark’s passion for public relations. Mark is also a motivational speaker, radio/TV host and an international bestselling author.
“I’ve learned that I am resilient and, through change, I am prepared to adapt to new circumstances.”
Mark believes every influential personality and business needs a strong PR team to communicate their message to the audience. And when we talk about public relations, many business magnates and celebrities spend a considerable amount on PR. Microsoft founder Bill Gates said, “If I were down to my last dollar, I would spend it on PR.” Now you can imagine how compelling a PR story can be in any well-established personality’s life. The high-profile PR expert is also the proud owner of TMSP Agency, which has played a pivotal role in giving entrepreneurs from different walks of life much-needed exposure on the web. Mark has utilised the digital space in the best way possible
and has built his presence with clients worldwide. The entrepreneur has provided media coverage for many well-established celebrities, including Jack Canfield, Rhonda Byrne, Marie Diamond, Bob Doyle, Dr John Demartini, Dr Joe Vitale, and Denis Waitley, all from The Secret documentary and book. Mark’s life was not always a bed of roses. With great courage, he has transformed his life from one of drugs and abuse, to a life that puts serving others at the heart of everything he does. His challenges have allowed him to discover more about himself and the inner strength it takes to turn your life around and find purpose and meaning. Mark says, “I’ve learned that I am resilient and, through change, I am prepared to adapt to new circumstances.” The pandemic created hurdles for Mark to overcome, from the cancellation of speaking engagements, events and loss of income, to the loss of a friend and client. However, his positive outlook on life revealed a newfound love of technology, a more positive attitude towards relationships, and the importance of wisdom when choosing how to spend your time. In his words, “Wisely!”
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S P OTL I GH T ON
Caroline Purvey How does gardening relate to your well-being?
W
hen the sun shines, do you like to spend time in the garden, preparing for the summer?
I decided to do that recently. I gathered all my tools and headed towards the most significant bed that needed attention. Weeds were all over the place. Despite the number of times I have been in the garden, I never noticed them coming thick and fast. I started to pull them but realised the roots were still there. I noticed some of them were embedded into the path. Last year, I tried a weedkiller that destroyed other plants too. Still, they were back. As I was working away, I compared gardening to personal health. Humans are stress buckets; our bucket fills with history, and every stressful, overwhelming, traumatic experience builds tension in your body. The more the bucket fills, the more every system in your body gets choked and stops you from blooming to be the best you can be. Then, just like the weeds choking the plants, when your bucket fills, the niggles start: aches and pains, especially back pain, and then there are gut problems, head fog, lack of energy, anxiety, and so much more.
Like getting right to the roots in the soil, you can get right to the root cause of any physical, mental and emotional pain.
Like the weeds in the garden, you keep trying to pull them out. You take medication, like a weedkiller, hoping to cure the problems, but often side effects create more issues and do not cure anything. Finally, after reprieve, all the niggles return. Like the tools in the gardening kit, you may try many others to heal. If you are to permanently remove the weeds in your garden, you must get to the root. The root can be something from your early years, even birth. Like getting right to the roots in the soil, you can get right to the root cause of any physical, mental and emotional pain. The only one who can get to the root of your pain is you. With the Total Release Experience® programme, you discover the power of your own body to heal. By releasing tension from your body’s core, like the flowers in your garden, you will start to blossom like never before.
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I N FO CU S
Paul Corke From a very young age, I always wanted to write a book. What I didn’t realise was that the book I would go on to write and publish would eventually become a major part in the success of my business.
I
read fantasy novels when I was young and always imagined I would write the next but more futuristic Lord of the Rings. I was taken away from my life by fantasy to the world of Middle-earth, Star Wars… and it massively influenced my ideas, until I reached the age of leaving school. One of the hardest things in life is actually knowing what you want to do, so other than playing football for Liverpool Football Club, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life, apart from write a book. The subjects I eventually found I had a passion for - Philosophy and Psychology - were not taught in school. I was far more creative and artistic than academic,
which never helped me in the age of study and test, even though I was in the top sets.
plays a fundamental part in what I speak about and how I now develop leaders.
My education has been from the University of Life and the fact that I read five to six books at the same time for years and years. My passion then turned to studying mindset, happiness, and what makes people successful.
But I’m not finished there. The book has also inspired my next book and the two are interconnected. My new book, Leadership 5.0: The Future of Leadership, is due to be published this year.
After spending 25 years in the corporate world, of which I was fortunate to apply my learnings through leadership development and organisational effectiveness, I left to set up my own business. I had published a couple of books along the way with limited success. However, after the very sad passing of my father and best friend, I decided that I wanted to leave as good a legacy as I’d been shown by him. This took me back to writing and after all the years of reading and research, I published Reframe Your Mindset: Redefine Your Success, which is now an integral part of what I do as a speaker and business owner. To accompany the book, I have my podcast Reframe Your Mindset for Success and a Mindset Journal. This
So dare to dream, write the book, keep smiling and take the road less travelled.
“... other than playing football for Liverpool Football Club, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life, apart from write a book.”
Paul in action ISSUE 01 | JUNE 2022
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D
o you have glossophobia? It’s the fear of public speaking. If yes, you’re in good company! Many actors have it and investor Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men, was so terrified, that he dropped out of a speech class rather than present. Even after years of ‘selling’ live on TV, I’m always nervous when presenting. So, how do I get my butterflies to fly in formation? Here’s my tip, and it’s not ‘imagine your audience naked’! It’s VISUALISATION. The night before making your presentation, podcast, or media interview, find a quiet spot, close
I N F LUE N C E BY SPE AKIN G
Dexter Moscow your eyes, take three deep breaths, and see yourself in the situation where you are going to speak. In as much detail as you can imagine, see people with smiles on their faces and nodding in approval. Hear them congratulating you on your ‘performance’, feel in your body the sense of pride you have for a job well done.
Sports professionals do this, and research shows that it can be even more effective than the physical activity. In the next issue, we’ll talk about Story Telling, the most engaging way to influence and persuade.
On the actual day of the talk, physically or virtually, 15 minutes before, go through the visualisation again.
M A K I N G DIGITAL RE AL
Mike Roberts
M
y name is Mike Roberts and I am the CEO and Founder of MDR (Making Digital Real). My article for BRILLIANCE is focused on the power of the Publications section of LinkedIn.
For more information on turning your LinkedIn page into your most powerful sales and marketing funnel, visit vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk
Let’s take a look at your LinkedIn profile for a moment. Sure, it includes your current work, your relevant experience, and perhaps some interests, but what about something to highlight our amazing authors out there? LinkedIn is the place for writers to add published work, as well as being a great place to spotlight your
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writing ability and showcase your knowledge. And it’s not only for the books you have written. If you have written an article that has been published or broadcast, add it to this section and share it with the readers of your LinkedIn profile. Whenever one of your articles is published, or a book goes to press, add it to the Publications section of your profile. You will create additional portals to your LinkedIn profile by listing your published work, promoting traffic to your page, and circulating your current and previous published content.
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I N FO CU S
Andrea Malam BEM
I
am an ordinary woman doing extra-ordinary things; an honourable woman creating and building dreams. This mission motivates me in becoming better as the Queen of Emotional Intelligence with Passion, Wisdom and Service. I experienced many biases at work along with others in the same community. You know, the usual ones, like gender, age and ethnicity. I decided to do something. I joined the volunteer diversity staff group, became an executive member, and graduated to being one of the Chairpersons. This was the only way my voice could be heard. I started getting busy as a workplace support officer, helping and mentoring other ethnic minority staff with an awareness of general and mental first aid. This was acknowledged, and I received the Diversity Role Model Award and was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Years’ Honours List 2022. I have always been a woman of intentions and goals. As a young teenager, I wished to travel across the world and visit the Seven Wonders that have made a home on this planet. My vision and aim is to serve mankind, inspiring the rest of humanity to live life the way I do and carry out what stands on their vision board. As a Leader, I deliver tailored mindset strategies to open-
This is the story of a woman striving and learning to be a strong woman. That is what she wanted because everyone deserves a strong person in their lives. “And yes, let it be me. But it can be you too.”
minded individuals, to positively change their perception to enable Inclusion, Diversity and Equality. Over twenty years of experience in the intelligence industry and and evidence-based knowledge has helped me in supporting others to understand themselves before understanding others. As a published Author and Speaker, I inspire and empower Aspiring Dreamer Entrepreneurs to achieve their goals with emotional support. This is done by sharing my story and experiences with empathy and compassion. Everyone has a dream. Every dream needs a goal and an achievable plan. I created Saving Dreams, a notfor-profit platform preventing poverty and relieving the needs of children in poverty, providing educational support to help them achieve their dreams. My belief is that life matters and it is our choice to live it to grow our dreams and complete them. I do what I do because life matters. We need to start living, taking charge of our own power, control, authenticity and integrity to fulfil our dreams.
My belief is that life matters and it is our choice to live it to grow our dreams and complete them. ISSUE 01 | JUNE 2022
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Networking
NATURAL • NURTURING • NETWORKING
Awaken Your Voice
Each month an invited guest speaker, who is making a difference and impact as an authorpreneur, talks about their experiences.
There has never been a better time to bring into the
To ensure its brilliant success, our invited great speakers inspire our guests and we provide breakout rooms for people to get to know each other and share their stories. We also encourage the audience through the open mic sessions to speak their truth as well as engage in intimate conversations through questions and answers with our guest speaker.
open, conversations around Diversity and Inclusion. Book Brilliance Publishing is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. We are: • • • •
an organisation that is built on collaboration an organisation that values a sense of community and ‘belonging’ an organisation that respects and understands difference, diversity and inclusion an organisation that represents authors, entrepreneurs and speakers of all backgrounds, regardless of colour, class, race, sexuality and education.
Our VALUES: INTEGRITY – built on Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and Trust RELIABILITY – built on Productivity, Efficiency, and Excellence COLLABORATION – built on Partnership, Empowerment, and Creativity
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Our MISSION: We deliver proven success strategies to heart-led authorpreneurs, empowering them to go Beyond their Book, and make a difference in the world. Our VISION: To build a brilliant global community of heart-led authorpreneurs, guiding them to extra-ordinary happiness, success and prosperity. With such a solid foundation built on integrity and collaboration, you can understand that networking is also a fundamental facet of Book Brilliance Publishing’s business and we are committed to and embrace all the joy, insight and ‘ah ha’ moments it brings. At our Awaken Your Voice networking monthly event, the evening is all about finding your voice, sharing your story, and talking your truth. Whether you are an aspiring author or speaker and entrepreneur today, Awaken Your Voice is a platform enabling you to be seen, heard and noted.
As part of our commitment to D&I, we have a D&I Ambassador, Carol Edmondson, who supports our work reflecting her own mission in this area. Remember, different backgrounds offer diversity of thought, ideas and knowledge. Brenda Dempsey – Publisher and CEO of Book Brilliance Publishing champions Diverse Authors, Speakers and Entrepreneurs, leading them to extra-ordinary success. Carol Edmondson – Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador for Book Brilliance Publishing. Carol is a woman of faith, a wife, mother of an amazing son, public speaker, event lead, and host for Kaushalya UK’s online platform for Women Empowerment, and more recently ‘Men Are From Mars’ events which is a mix of male and female speakers.
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Voice & Pen “The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.” Robert Kiyosaki
I am a firm believer in collaboration, and it begins with networking, where you can build strong, lasting relationships. It is an opportunity to meet like-minded people with a similar purpose, drive and intention of making a difference in the world.
Voice & Pen offers an opportunity for you to be spotlighted through the Author’s and Expert’s Voice and Open Mic. It is the place to be seen, heard and noted as an author when you launch your book with Book Brilliance Publishing.
Whether you are an author, speaker or entrepreneur, vital to your success is communicating with clarity for a more significant impact, influence and inspiring others into action. Voice & Pen’s vision is to build a community of business owners who communicate with more significant impact and at the same time, create a profitable business.
At the heart of being an author, speaker or entrepreneur lies great business brilliance and at Voice & Pen, you will have the opportunity to listen and learn from many experts in the business, publishing and public speaking worlds to elevate and expand your business.
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TH E I N F LU E N C E R’ S VOIC E
Dr Shama Hussain Dr Shama Hussain is a philanthropist, academic and founder of the International Institute of Influencers. Read on to find out why she truly believes in Education for Life. Who has been the greatest inspiration in your life so far, and why? When it comes to inspiration, where do I start?! Scientifically speaking, inspiration means taking oxygen in, taking in life. So, my MOTHER is my inspiration as she has given me oxygen and life. Yes, every mother in the world is an Inspiration, not excluding my mother. Even though she doesn’t know much about worldly education, she has taught me all the ethics of education of life. She introduced the word ‘resilience’ into my life. When I was scared of uncertainty, she was the one who taught me that NOTHING is more important than YOU. She taught me not to value these uncertainties and challenges in life. That’s the reason I am not scared of anything in life. My only challenge or competitor is MYSELF. She has taught me the emotional, mental and spiritual factors required for the iceberg of life. Finally, I AM COMPLETE BECAUSE OF HER. Why is education so important to you? In my opinion, education remains when one has forgotten what one studied in school. I believe real education brings peace to the soul and resiliency in life and fulfils the purpose of life. There would be no hatred, no wars, if the real spirit of education prevailed in everyone’s heart. So I advocate Education for LIFE, rather than education for living. We can appreciate the essential ingredients of life like Gratitude, Compassion, Passion, Peace, Brotherhood and Happiness.
The secret recipe to inspire the next generation for outstanding leadership is to develop Emotional Intelligence.
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What was the catalyst for you to create the International Institute of Influencers? A dream when you dream alone is just a dream, but a dream you dream together is a reality. This was the catalytical force that laid the foundation for the International Institute of Influencers. It’s my vision to spread the realistic value of education in the world. “Humanisation of Education” means Education for LIFE, not just for Living - it’s not just a thought, it’s taking Action. When we promote this by building individual influencers globally, we will not find any wars globally. We need great leaders now who are Influencers. A leader cannot influence until s/he becomes an influencer. So if we need great leaders in the world, we need to build influencers. I wanted to create the ripples of positivity and empowerment by creating a vast network of influencers worldwide. I want to spread the message of resilience through our influencers worldwide.
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What is the success of this initiative so far? International Institute of Influencers is spreading the humanisation of education in every school, college, university, and individual through our eight verticals: ITF (International Training Forum), IHS (International House of Speakers), IAWI (International Association of Women Influencers), IBI (International Bank of Influencers), IAFB (International Academic Fraternity Board), ISFB (International Student Fraternity Board), YLP (International Youth Leadership Programme), I-TRANSFORM and GLOBAL EXPRESS TV. We provide training to different parts of the world through our core values of Leadership, Resiliency, Integrity, Accountability and Emotional Intelligence. We have impacted many individuals and organisations. We have built many influencers, and they are our brand ambassadors who are spreading the mission of humanisation of education. We are not building just Education; we are building Values and Emotional Intelligence. We have spread across Nigeria, Southeast Asia, Canada, India and the UAE. Miss Brenda, you are one of the kind human beings and an empowered influencer that I have met through this International Institute of Influencers.
How are you ensuring a global impact of your vision? I believe in the survival of the fittest idea conceived by Charles Darwin; therefore it is part of my vision that we be the best version of ourselves. I am sure after this pandemic, everybody must embrace this attitude and come out of the old leadership and education system norms. Through the re-invention of leadership, we are influencing the impact and ethics of Influencers by 360 degrees. We want to root for others and watch them grow. What else have you developed as part of the III? As a part of III, in addition to empowerment and training, I have developed a bond, a global family of influencers. These elements are what III has earned; a unique family of influencers who are ready to spread the ripples of positivity and empowerment.
How do you intend to inspire the next generation of leaders? The secret recipe to inspire the next generation for outstanding leadership is to develop Emotional Intelligence. I firmly believe it is the only ingredient that can take us out of the bumpy roads and rollercoaster ride of the post-pandemic world. In addition, we have IHS (International House of Speakers), where we enhance the spirit of authentic leadership by giving voice to the voiceless. We are building influencers, so we are building Leaders. Join us on this fantastic journey of INFLUENCERS…
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I N FOCU S
Eric Francis Manu The Advantage of Being a Gentleman in Business. (The term gentleman in this article refers to individuals of any gender.)
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eing in business means dealing with demanding challenges. It can be exciting, frustrating, inspirational, and depressing. Fear and anxiety abound - and all this can happen in one day. When something goes wrong, as it inevitably will, a breakdown in civility as tempers flare will only lead to the crumbling of trust. There is one person who will stand above the crowd: the gentleman. Retaining composure and showing dignity and courtesy, even in the face of aggression, will elevate you. Being a gentleman does not make you superior; it gives you an advantage. A gentleman will respond rather than react, working to find a more stable and balanced view of the situation, retaining quiet calm and confidence without piling on more anger. Know the importance of a first impression. It is better to be authentic when offering a smile rather than being obsequious and setting a misleading tone. Strive to do what is right instead of acting for personal benefit. Reacting to problems using a measured, reflective approach shows
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Being a gentleman does not make you superior; it gives you an advantage. strength. If you are going to be a business leader, you must also be a gentleman. Yet being a gentleman in business does not mean you are above making mistakes. Accepting constructive criticism with a gracious attitude is vital. The person who has tried to help you improve your performance is to be thanked, not attacked. Offering points to help someone improve should be done using the ‘sandwich effect’. First, congratulate them on what they have achieved, then give points for improvement, and finish with a positive note on general performance. This approach is a gentlemanly way to deliver a helpful critique that will likely be accepted. The gentleman in business engages, doing their best to understand others who strongly disagree with them. They carve a path to common
ground, not merely principles, led by moral and ethical beliefs. They are also honest. Show humility. Instead of clumsily trying to cover an error, put your hands up, and admit your mistake. The reward is respect. Ask for support from colleagues. Show grace and style, accepting that adversity must be overcome, courage found, and praise won on merit alone. The gentleman will remember the strength in failure and the value of success. Eric Francis Manu - FRSA, Founder and Managing Director, The British Protocol Academy
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BRI L L I ANT BYT E S
Putting Pen to Paper WRITING: Got an idea for a book? Simply start by writing it down. Too many ideas for your book? Create a Mind Map to sort them out into categories. Ideas can come out of nowhere. Be prepared. Always carry a notebook and pen. Writing a book is a discipline. Build in non-negotiable time when you can sit down and write without any interruptions. ENGAGING YOUR READER: Put a sticky note on top of your computer or notepad to remind you to Think About the Reader.
Engage your reader from the beginning by using YOU in your writing. The reader is looking for a deep and trusting relationship with the author. For non-fiction books, always think of your reader at the end of every chapter – have you engaged them enough? Will they feel like they are part of the book itself? For cover ideas, visit bookshops and check out books in the same genre as yours. See what is trending. WRITER’S BLOCK: If you are finding it difficult, it’s time to change the thinking patterns with a pattern interrupt; in other words – do different.
Are you stuck finding the ‘right’ word? Always have a thesaurus to hand and use it to make your writing more interesting. Use powerful verbs to lure your reader into your world. BEYOND YOUR BOOK: Thinking ‘Beyond your Book’ allows you to create a vision that is clear, focused and built on values. Remember: Your Book is Your Business Card. AND FINALLY: Do NOT rush – you want your book to be the best it can be BEFORE you submit your manuscript.
Your ad here! Would you like you or your company to feature in our next issue? This space could be yours in the next edition! Email Book Brilliance Publishing on admin@bookbrilliancepublishing.com to find out prices and specifications.
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M A K I N G A DIF F E RE N C E
Steve Pipe How your business can make the world a better place. that wants to become a Business for Good. He shows them exactly what to do, holds their hands at every step of the process, and provides ongoing support for as long as it is needed. And all without any kind of charge, because “I don’t want to make money doing this. But I do want to make a difference.”
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n most people’s eyes, Steve Pipe has had a very successful career. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he became Head of Finance for a £140 million division of a global blue-chip, then set up his own award-winning consulting business, and a few years later was named UK Entrepreneur of the Year. In addition, he became an international keynote speaker and the author of seven bestselling business books. But in his mid-fifties he gave it all up, dedicating his life to making the world a better place. “It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. I believe that every single business can be a positive force for good in the world, be a net contributor, and create a wonderful legacy. It boils down to a simple binary choice: do we really want to make a difference? Yes or no? What gets me up in the morning is being able to show business leaders how easy it is to say ‘Yes’ and be that kind of Business for Good.” Steve now gives away all of his time, expertise and intellectual property free of charge to any organisation
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And he certainly is making a difference. The community of businesses that he has helped has already unlocked over 26 million days of help for people in need via the charity B1G1, a social enterprise based on the concept of ‘Buy One Give One’. But Steve isn’t stopping there. Having set a goal of unlocking a whopping 100 million days of help by 2030, he has also partnered with B1G1 to publish an Impact Statement (https://www.b1g1. com/hive/stevepipe) containing independently verified real-time data that shows exactly how far they have travelled towards that goal. The easiest way for you to become a Business For Good is to change your business model so that: • When something good happens in your business – such as winning a customer, getting paid on time or receiving a referral… • Then something good also happens in the world – such as giving a child access to food, water, sanitation or education.
For example, UK-based accountancy coaches AVN provide clean water to a family in Cambodia every time they make a coaching call, Australian recruitment specialists JJP Talent Solutions provide education support to a child in India every time they place a candidate in a job, and US-based Mosher Bookkeeping plant a tree for every client every month who use their services (i.e. 12 trees a year per client). In total, these three businesses have already provided 314,798 verifiable days of help to people in need via the www.b1g1.com micro-giving platform. That platform makes it all very quick and easy, allowing you to search hundreds of worthy projects by country, category or keyword. It also makes it very affordable, since it costs from as little as one or two US cents to provide a day’s worth of education, medical support, vitamin supplements, malaria protection, sanitation or water. So the cost of being a Business For Good is tiny – and it can easily be funded by the much larger amount of money and other benefits generated when good things (such as new customers and referrals) happen in your business.
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Right: Steve and his daughter Katie take a rest from building a mud hut for a family in Kenya Below: Steve on stage
The commercial benefits also include:
“It boils down to a simple binary choice: do we really want to make a difference? Yes or no? What gets me up in the morning is being able to show business leaders how easy it is to say ‘Yes’ and be that kind of Business for Good.”
• Faster growth – on average, businesses doing good grow four times faster than others • Competitive advantage – 89% of people are likely to switch from a business that isn’t doing good to one that is • Word-of-mouth advertising – 81% will tell others about businesses doing good • Higher prices – 66% of people are willing to pay more for products/services from businesses doing good • Higher productivity – one study found that salespeople make 143% more sales when working for a business doing good • Future proofing – 79% of consumers expect businesses to do more good in the future than they have in the past
Visit www.ourtimetorise.global
• More valuable – according to 2021 research from Deloittes, it will also make your businesses 400% more valuable when you come to sell it or retire So, as Sir Richard Branson says, “doing good really is good for business”. And if you want to become a Business for Good, you can download a copy of Steve Pipe’s “How to” book as a gift here www.ourtimetorise.global. You can also email him at steve@stevepipe.com to find out how he will help you free of charge by: • Providing unlimited one-to-one advice and support tailored to your precise needs • Creating a special edition of his book Our Time to RISE with your name on the cover • Showing you how to feature in the book The World’s Most Inspiring Businesses ISSUE 01 | JUNE 2022
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S P OTL I G H T ON
Claudia Bruce-Quartey Claudia Bruce-Quartey is a Key Account Manager for a global leading provider of enterprise open source solutions. As the co-founder of Iconic Women Circle and author of the book My Hair, My Choice, she helps women and girls overcome their fears at work and schools to become bold and fearless and embrace their inner confidence.
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hen You Stand - We All Stand.” This motto has been the foundation of our circle. We are women who believe in the other woman’s success and achievement. Jointly, we contribute to making her journey to the top much more enjoyable. I’m on a mission for positive change and transformation, creating an empowering narrative for every woman and girl. We have found that at many times, we are alone: when in self-doubt, when exploited, when interrupted in meetings, when belittled, and mocked or harassed based on our gender or race. Alone, when being overlooked for promotions and underpaid while working extra-long hours to get the job done. Alone, when suddenly our confidence and competence fade away in the face of harsh adversity at work, school or elsewhere. So, in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I co-founded Iconic Women Circle, a professional female network for minority women aiming to advance their professional careers through education, elevation and empowerment. If you hang around us too long, we’ll make you believe in yourself, negotiate whatever it is you need out of your job, and get the promotion you deserve.
“I’m on a mission for positive change and transformation, creating an empowering narrative for every woman and girl.”
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Our circle meetings provide a platform to let out all of your frustration and breathe, to be heard and not judged, and to dream again without fear of feeling ‘stupid’, because that is what a lot of our members have gone through. We address the issues at hand, lead difficult conversations and reclaim confidence, competence and empowerment to navigate (work) life. I have much experience in all these issues. As a German-born Ghanaian, I entered the Swiss IT scene nearly seven years ago and have occupied different sales responsibilities in some of the fastest growing software and hardware companies in the world, including Salesforce and Cisco. As a Jury member of last year’s #wetechtogether conference in Switzerland, my ability to speak five languages fluently allowed me to take on the role of moderator and presenter at different conferences, panels and webinars. Thriving in international settings, I regularly circle between Germany, France and Switzerland.
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I N FO CU S
Shishir Khadka Cash Flow Supermarket
I Poor cash flow management destroys more companies than all other causes combined.
n March 2020, I helplessly watched small businesses folding around me who hadn’t looked after their cash flow. They had no savings, no financial backup and no time during the global emergency to change it. All of my clients were thriving, but I felt so helpless watching thousands of other small businesses failing because they didn’t have access to the strategies I had taught my clients who succeeded throughout the pandemic. I don’t ever want to watch that happen to anyone else, so I am now dedicating my business to helping small businesses create cash flow confidence and control. Witnessing the failures and successes is why The Cash Flow Hub was born. It is the world’s most comprehensive cash flow resource hub for business owners and entrepreneurs, who want to have cash flow clarity, control and confidence, to ensure financial stability, a security blanket and financial peace of mind.
There are many reasons why businesses fail. We could come up with a long list, but did you know poor cash flow management destroys more companies than all other causes combined? In fact, according to score.org, 82% of businesses fail because of poor management of cash flow, not because of lack of sales. This failing is despite these businesses having access to their accountants and business coaches. Indeed, there is a big problem, and we are on a mission to change that. Can you imagine a place where you can find information on building a solid cash flow foundation and focus on cash-generating activities to create consistent positive cash flow for free? Consider it as the Cash Flow Supermarket. You can find anything and everything about cash flow so that you have a better chance of avoiding the cash flow rollercoaster, surviving when times are tough and thriving when times are good.
While creating The Cash Flow Hub, I came across so many cash flow related stats, which were surprising and worrying. One of the most crucial stats relates to business failure.
Visit the world’s most comprehensive cash flow resource hub: www.shishirkhadka.com/introducing-the-cashflow-hub/
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THE INSPI R AT I ON A L VO I CE
Peace Mitchell Peace Mitchell is the co-founder of The Women’s Business School, AusMumpreneur & Women Changing the World Press. She is an international keynote speaker and TEDx speaker. Peace is passionate about supporting women to reach their full potential and committed to invest in the power of women to change the world.
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hen my sister Katy and I first started our business, I believed that we had to work long hours and we had to be ‘busy’ to be successful. I believed the harder we worked, the more successful our business would be. I thought that good customer service meant replying to emails and social media messages instantly, even if they came through at 10 o’clock at night or on weekends. I believed that we had to be constantly checking and updating social media. The signs of burnout came quickly in that first year of business. I started resenting the business and questioning what the point of it was. I’d lost sight of why I’d started. It felt like the harder I worked, the more resentful I became and the more resentful I became, the more customers stopped coming as they picked up on my energy. I was working harder, but achieving less. I knew in my heart that work would always be there, but that life wouldn’t. I also knew that if things were going to change, it was up to me to make the changes; to prioritise my life and family and stop letting my business run me into the ground, taking me away from my family. 26
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I also realised that if I didn’t start controlling the business, the business would keep controlling me. When I look back now, I see that the business was taking me away from my children, my husband, my friends and my physical and mental health. It was like a toxic relationship, one that I kept going back to but didn’t know how to escape from. I wanted my business to be my friend and support the life that I was dreaming of. I wanted my business to help me be a loving mother, a healthier person, a happier wife, and a better friend. I realised it wasn’t just about the money. I kept working on the business but I also stayed focused on my personal goals. They were hard habits to break. I’ll be honest, my life isn’t perfect; sometimes there are still dishes on the sink, and washing to fold and sometimes I do have to work a little on a weekend. But I always remind myself of how I want my life to look and the person I want to be.
You can change your life too. Here are some of the secrets to how my sister and I changed our lives, from one of chaos, resentment and depression, to one of order, fulfilment and happiness.
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I wanted my business to be my friend and support the life that I was dreaming of.
FIND CLARITY Get clear on your personal and business goals. Think about what kind of life you want to live; only you can decide how it will be. I’ve learnt that you have to choose, and you have to be in control, otherwise the business will control you. I discovered that I could work exactly as much or as little as I wanted to and the business would still be there. It’s all about planning, prioritising and structuring your business to support your goals. BUSINESS EDIT My business was controlling my life so I took a step back and looked at why there was always so much to do! The key is to really think about the return on investment: 1. Identify what is the most important thing in your business and make it your priority 2. Delegate, automate, scale back, shelve or eliminate everything else Identifying the priority was easy, but we found delegating, scaling back, cutting and shelving really hard. Thinking about the 80/20 rule really helped. ASK FOR HELP No one expects you to do everything by yourself, so why should you expect it of yourself? Finding the right people to work with in your business can take time, but it’s worth it. Outsourcing work is the best way to grow your business. Whom do you have around you who can help support you? BATCH AND AUTOMATE For the tasks that you need to complete yourself, batching is an excellent strategy. Batching involves working on similar jobs together rather than doing them sporadically throughout the day or the week. Similarly, scheduling allows you to batch activities, such as blog posts or social media. It’s a great time saver as social media can be a drain on time and productivity. Automating is a huge time saver too. Setting up automated systems and processes can take time initially but will save you hours in the long run. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF When you feel better, your business does better. It’s contagious and people want to be around you. The best thing I ever did for my business was join the gym and become fit and healthy. Looking after yourself is also about finding time to do things that you enjoy. Reading a book, having a cup of tea, watching your favourite TV show, art, cooking, crafts, catching up with friends; these are all little things you can do to nourish your well-being. And finally… Changing your life is possible. It starts with you taking that first step to recognise what you want your life to be and then having the courage and the confidence to make it so.
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TA L K I N G TO...
Kim Rix Kim Rix GG GIA is a gemstone expert, author and award-winning photographer. She shares her journey to becoming the Gemstone Detective.
You are the Gemstone Detective. What exactly is your business and how do you help and facilitate your service? Gemstone Detective is a unique learning resource for gemstone hobbyists. The business offers a series of educational travel guides, gemstone tours and gemstone talks. What led you to becoming a Gemstone Detective? Was it an epiphany moment? It all started with a bad buying decision. Whilst on holiday in Egypt, I bought a gemstone which turned out to be glass. It was sold to me as a natural Burmese ruby, and I naively believed the seller because he had been so open and friendly over the course of several days. At that time, I’d spent hundreds of hours self-educating by reading and watching the American television network, Jewelry Television, and thought I was knowledgeable. It was horribly embarrassing to realise that I wasn’t as clued-up as I thought I was. After that, I decided to get a proper education and studied at the world-renowned GIA (Gemmological Institute of America).
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After I qualified, the idea for the book series, Gemstone Detective, came as another lightbulb moment. I wrote the books to protect people from falling for similar tricks – to save themselves the heartache and to be able to buy their gemstones and jewellery with confidence. Let’s talk about your books. What do they teach and what can people gain from reading them? The books are educational and aim to help people feel more confident about buying gemstones and jewellery in a foreign country. Each book is a blend of basic gemmology and a travel guide. The books are countryspecific and focus on the gemstones for which that country is known. Buying Gemstones & Jewellery in Australia focuses on opals and sapphires, whereas Buying Gemstones & Jewellery in Myanmar (Burma) talks about the best-known Burmese gemstones, i.e., jade, ruby and sapphire. The first half of each book tells you - in clear, easy-to-read prose everything you need to know about the gemstone. You’ll learn about the
different varieties of each gemstone and what to look for when it comes to buying. The second half of the book contains the travel guide element, helping you decide where to buy your gemstone. Each book is packed with practical information and tips to help you better understand what you are buying and what to avoid. If you ask the top ten questions set out in the book, you should feel confident about making your purchase. Buying Gemstones and Jewellery Worldwide is the exception in the series – it’s not a travel guide like the other books. It still covers the basics of gemmology and what to avoid, but also includes a special section on buying diamonds, proposing on holiday and world-famous jewellery collections. I recently launched Buying Gemstones & Jewellery in Great Britain, where I’ve focused on Blue John, amber and Whitby jet. I have, however, also included many of the other hidden gems that can be found in Great Britain. As our tourism recovers, I want to ensure that the British public and our overseas visitors have an exceptional holiday experience.
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O NKA AR AND AVN E E T N I J J E R
Future Voices We are super excited to introduce ourselves… We are Onkaar and Avneet - Young Voice Ambassadors at Book Brilliance Publishing. We are 11 and 8 years old.
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e are also award-winning #1 bestselling authors. Our books are aimed at children to help young people in today’s world.
We have been donating the profits from our book sales to charities such as Save the Children and The Wildlife Trusts. Why do we do this? Because we want our books to help the children who read them, plus we also want to help make a wider impact on the world around us too! We think BIG, and as Ambassadors, we’ve got BIG things planned ahead with Book Brilliance Publishing! Our vision is to help young people to grow, be confident and be empowered to impact the world with their voices. You and your voice are important, and we want you to use your powerful young voice to benefit our future and make a positive impact on our world! We hosted the Spark of Brilliance book launch in March and we were delighted to see so many brilliant budding young poets. We really enjoyed hearing many read out their poems and, of course, the singing (always remember, you have the power in you!). Watch this space for more interactive sessions for you to get involved and shine.
We want you to use your powerful young voice to benefit our future and make a positive impact on our world!
We will be involved with organisations like the International House of Speakers and 28COE to support the power of Young Voices. And we have lots of activities and competitions planned so that you can get involved too! So, keep an eye on the Book Brilliance Publishing website and this magazine. Meanwhile, keep growing in confidence, reflecting and utilising your voice. We want you to discover the magic inside you! We want you to use your young voice to make an impact and together, we will do that! See you next time!
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Book Recommendations A book that has influenced me is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This book is about how the secret to success is giving, and that our worth is determined by how much we give than we take. I loved how the book’s powerful principles were embedded through the main character’s conversations with inspiring individuals. I would recommend it to everyone; the shared principles apply to great benefit in all areas of our lives. SIMON ONG – AUTHOR OF ENERGIZE
I highly recommend Blue Collar Leadership by Mack Story. This book is one of the best reads on frontline leadership. It starts with learning to be a leader of oneself and takes the reader into learning to lead others as well. KEVIN WARD – BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Women Don’t Owe You Pretty by Florence Given is a thoughtprovoking read for young women that makes you consider changing your perspective and behaviour towards men. HOLLY CAMPBELL – MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENT AND ENTREPRENEUR IN TRAINING
In his new book Energize, Simon Ong cleverly uses stories, exercises and his experience, to provide the reader with many thoughtprovoking concepts, ideas and action steps they can take to improve their ENERGY and lives. A great, easy-to-read book. BRENDA DEMPSEY – CEO, BOOK BRILLIANCE PUBLISHING
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling is the final in the Harry Potter series. I loved the thrilling end which had me guessing to the very end; it is not 30
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for the faint-hearted! I loved it when Neville Longbottom became the hero. It’s such a great story and seeing how it ends makes reading all the other books worthwhile. AVNEET NIJJER (AGE 8) – AUTHOR AND AMBASSADOR, BOOK BRILLIANCE PUBLISHING
The 1,000-year-old Boy by Ross Welford is an incredibly moving story about a young boy called Alfie who has taken a magical ‘life pearl’ which makes him never age. But after a tragic event, Alfie wants to grow old like the rest of his friends and he goes on an epic adventure! I loved Alfie’s resilience. The story line is fantastic and has a good pace which keeps the reader engrossed. ONKAAR NIJJER (AGE 11) – AUTHOR AND AMBASSADOR, BOOK BRILLIANCE PUBLISHING
Shuggie Bain is an immersive, gripping début novel by Glaswegian Douglas Stuart. Set in Glasgow’s tenements, it follows a young boy and his alcoholic mother. Beautifully written in both lyrical and brutal language, this book is deeply moving. Winning the prestigious Booker Prize in 2020, Shuggie Bain has now sold over a million copies worldwide. OLIVIA EISINGER – EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, BOOK BRILLIANCE PUBLISHING
Magpie by Elizabeth Day is an absolute page-turner of a novel which deals with many topics sensitively. I felt I was led up the garden path; a massive plot twist throws everything up in the air! The amount of red herrings were utterly brilliant, twisty and mind-blowing; one to read if you write fiction! ZARA THATCHER – PRODUCTION DIRECTOR, BOOK BRILLIANCE PUBLISHING
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STA RS , MOON & YOU !
Alison Smith Every moment in time - whether the birth of a person, an event or a business - has a unique map of the stars for that moment.
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hink of it as looking at the sky at a particular moment and seeing all of the stars. Then consider the sheer infinity of our universe and how, when we open our minds, we can see the wondrous infinite possibilities of us! Have you ever wondered about how your ancestors watched the stars and why? The ‘why’ is more important than the ‘ways’! For starters, the movement of the Sun changing the seasons and the Moon offering a rhythm to the pull of gravity on the water table gave an accurate agricultural calendar. And so, observing the movements of planetary bodies in the sky was a useful tool. All stars, planets, and asteroids move at different times and in different orbits. This means the patterns they make are always entirely different and unique. Just pause here for a moment and consider … No pattern of stars repeats … every moment in our universe is different. Take a look at the night sky and the sheer enormity, infinity, potential and depth displayed by the stars and planets. And, just as we are aware of the Moon’s effect on gravity, so it follows that other planetary energy
may very well be available for our use as well – more on this later! Our ancestors watched the patterns and cycles of the Moon and the Sun to gauge the time passing. In addition, sailors navigated by the stars. We know that the lunar cycles affect our oceans and tides. And, as we consist of a large percentage of water, it is not such a great leap of logic to understand the connection between the Moon and our bodies … and then the other planets. So how is this valuable information for our businesses or our daily lives? Your business had a defining moment when it arrived! It may be the date of registration, or perhaps you know the actual date that idea took root in your mind. The map of the stars (chart) for that moment can help you plot your way forward, just as Kings and Queens used astrology when planning their coronations or battles in times gone by! Even without knowing the intricacies of a date to start your business, you can tap into the amazing energy that the universe has available. I mean … why not try it?
of silver at the new Moon, and from then, the light grows (waxes) towards the full Moon. After fullness, the light lessens (wanes) towards the dark of the Moon and then new again. A cycle that we know takes place approximately every 28 days, as the Moon travels around the complete zodiac, touching every sign. The stages are: • New Moon - something begins … • Waxing Moon - development and growth • Full Moon - celebrating achievements • Waning Moon - polish and hone, refine and consider. • New Moon … Ponder as you look at the night sky and the planets - by looking at the sky, we become aware of the possibilities for us all. And we can marvel at the connection with each other and our home. Love, Alison, the Astrologer
Find out the phase of the Moon. The lunar cycle begins with a sliver
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Contributors’ Directory Dr. Shama Hussain (Oman) is the Founder of International Institute of Influencers who believes in the “Humanization of Education”. Contact Shama here: drshama@iiilearnings.com
Bilal Ahmad Bhat (Malaysia) is the Founder of NEOCS (Now Everyone Can Study) (M) and 28COE (28 Credentials of Entrepreneurs). Get in touch with Bilal: successmyths28@gmail.com or https://28coe.com/
Peace Mitchell (Australia) is the co-founder of The Women’s Business School, AusMumpreneur and Women Changing the World Press. Connect with Peace: hello@thewomensbusinessschool.com or https://www.thewomensbusinessschool.com/ Steve Pipe (UK) is a researcher, adviser, author, speaker, trainer, strategist and FCA. Contact Steve here: steve@stevepipe.com or https://www.stevepipe.com/blog.html or https://b1g1.com/
Andrea Malam BEM (UK via India) is an author, speaker, mentor and founder of the charity Saving Dreams. Connect with Andrea: connect@andreamalam.co.uk or https://savingdreams.org.uk/
Caroline Purvey (UK) is the Founder and CEO of TREUK®, as well as being an author and speaker. She can be contacted via caroline@treuk.com or https://treuk.com/
Claudia Bruce-Quartey (Germany) is a Key Account Manager for a global leading provider of enterprise open source solutions, co-founder of Iconic Women Circle and author of the book My Hair, My Choice. Connect with Claudia here: claudiabruceq@gmail.com Eric Francis Manu FRSA (UK) is the Founder and Managing Director of The British Protocol Academy, Executive Coach, Speaker and Etiquette Consultant. Contact Eric via eric.manu25@yahoo.co.uk
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Brilliance Magazine Issue 01 Kim Rix GG GIA (UK) aka The Gemstone Detective, is an author, speaker and award-winning photographer. Message Kim via kim@gemstonedetective.com and check out her website https://www.gemstonedetective.com/ Mark Stephen Pooler (UK) is the founder, editor-in-chief, and media and news publisher at MSP News Global. Contact him via info@markstephenpooler.com and visit his website at https://mspnewsglobal.com/ Shishir Khadka (UK) is a financial scaling coach, specialising in helping female entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Connect with Shishir: shishir@shishirkhadka.com or https://shishirkhadka.com/
Paul Corke (UK) is the Managing Director of Leadership Innovators, a keynote, conference and after-dinner speaker, and one of the first Speakers for Good through B1G1. Paul can be contacted via paul@leadershiparchitect.co.uk and https://paulcorkeinternational.com/ Mike Roberts (UK) is the Founder of Making Digital Real, Head of Digital at Frama (UK) and an expert in LinkedIn. Connect with Mike here: mike@mikedroberts.co.uk
Dexter Moscow (UK) is a Keynote Speaker, Influencing Skills Coach, TV presenter, author, father and grandfather. Dexter can be contacted via dexter@dextermoscow.co.uk and https://www.dextermoscow.co.uk/
Alison Smith (UK) is a professional astrologer of over 20 years, and author of both fiction and non-fiction titles. Connect with Alison: alisonlsmith@me.com or https://www.alisontheastrologer.com/
Ann D’Silva (Turkey) is a poet, bestselling author, humanitarian, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, Global Goodwill Ambassador and is on the Global Advisory Board- Asian African Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Connect with Ann by emailing anndsilva@gmail.com or visiting https://anndsilva.com/en/
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