iSSUEÂ 8 august 2018
BRIDGET ZYKA
Our newest writer shares 'A Journey to Body Positivity' and how as The Body Positivity Coach she helps people embrace themselves!
RESHMA FIELDS Shares what it's like to be a personal stylist
BEN EDWARDS Shares 5 ways to boost office morale
EMPOWERED BUSINESS MAGAZINE
EDITORS LETTER Hey Wonderful People! I read a great quote the other day that said: Don't call it a dream - call it a PLAN! That is exactly what I have decided to do - I now don't have dreams, I have plans... my plans for what I am wanting to do in the future! I am so proud of this issue. Our newest writer is introduced and she is on a mission. Be sure to check out her interview and article. We have articles from so many great people in here this month that I do not have the space to list them all!! Once you have read the magazine don't forget to let us know what you think! Hx
CONTENTS
Page 1. Editors Letter Page 2. Contents
Page 3 - 4.5 Tips to Boost Office Morale Pages 5 - 6. Elise Marques, London Pages 15 - 19.Procrastination: The Thief of Living Pages 21 - 22. Academy of Robotics closes funding in 6 hours, turning down an additional £500k Pages 23 - 24. Launch of ethical fitness and yoga apparel brand which saves lives by providing food, water and identity to Children in Need around the world Pages 25 - 26. ChargedUp - The Boris Bikes of phone chargers launches in London this month – and they are all powered by green energy Pages 28 - 29. Tips for keeping the workspace organised Pages 30 - 31. COVER STAR: Introducing our newest writer: Bridget Zyka Pages 32 - 33. What if we as Women just loved our Bodies? Pages 35 - 37. Seven Ways to Invest in Your Mental Health Pages 38 - 39. Personal Styling with Reshma Field Pages 40 - 44. Who is Tara Button? Pages 46 - 47. Andersen EV launches next generation EV charging point – allowing hotels, businesses etc. to create an additional revenue stream Pages 48 - 49. Start-up tea brand Roqberry wins 7 awards at the 2018 Great Taste awards Page 50. Company takes on 20th member of staff just two years after almost having to close down Pages 51 - 53. The introvert’s public speaking toolkit
5 WAYS TO BOOST OFFICE MORALE By Ben Edwards
It’s no secret that there are certain days at work which inevitably drag, leaving us wishing it was 5 o’clock… especially during the summer months. As the sun shines and temperatures rise, we find ourselves looking on longingly from our office. Keeping morale high can be a difficult task, but as a manager you can make a few simple changes to the day which will help keep employees motivated. Staff should want to work for you and enjoy coming into work. Low morale can lead to low productivity, poor co-operation and high turnover, all of which influence the business. Seemingly, investing in measures designed to boost your employees’ satisfaction and morale will reap rewards for both parties. Ben Edwards, a self-confidence expert and relationship coach, shares his advice on how to boost morale in the office. Share progression reports Within many businesses, employees often won’t know the exact impact they’re having in terms of the organisation’s success. A great way of highlighting their invaluable contribution to the biggerpicture is by providing progression reports outlining how their work specifically has benefited the business. These reports will help employees feel recognised, respected and of importance to the company’s success. Sharing this information demonstrates that you care about the work they’re putting in for your company; lifting motivation and improving trust among your employees. Organise regular meetings Whether these are 10 minutes or an hour long, organising regular meetings at the beginning of the week allows you to plan ahead, also giving employees the chance to raise any concerns or ask questions. These meetings can also give you the chance to praise a member of staff or show how well a project is doing. This feedback lets employees know they’re doing a great job. Meetings also allow for a period of relaxation; ordering food into the office or having a calm chat gives staff the chance to step away from their usual work station to have a break.
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Celebrate work anniversaries Remembering key dates at work and surprising employees with a celebratory lunch or gift will be sure to lift the mood and show that a manager does care for their staff. Once again, this indicates that their efforts towards the company, throughout their employment, haven’t gone unnoticed. Employees will appreciate you taking the time to celebrate alongside them, keeping spirits in the office high. Introduce activities at lunch This can be anything from a ping-pong table to heading out of the workplace for a stroll; any relaxation period during the working day will allow staff to have fun without thinking about work 24/7, easing any stress which, in the long term, will inhibit productivity. Introducing a league table for an activity like table tennis helps add a healthy sense of competition between employees, raising spirits and morale. Rewarding winners with prizes such as day trips out or even an office trophy also adds to the entertainment. Play music aloud An easy way to improve the mood in a working environment is to play music; having a different staff member act as DJ each day, sharing the music they’re into, also adds an element of fun. Playing feel good songs on a Friday especially will help to increase office morale, ultimately leading to higher productivity levels. Removing the need to work in silence, a bit of background music encourages the office to express themselves which is never a bad thing.
For more information on Ben Edwards please visit:www.be-limitless.co.uk
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ELISE MARQUES LONDON
Michelle Margaret Marques Founder and Creative Director
The Evening Miracle is something I have personally been following and teaching my clients for years, the clients who have adopted this routine and who value it's benefits have told me many times it has changed their lives. Some of the many changes reported to me have included, feeling happier within themselves, more restful sleep, more energy, sense of well being, less stressed, more positive, more confidence, improvements in their appearance, an improvement in self worth and self esteem, feeling more important to themselves, feelings of self love and nurture, improvements in their relationships and their sex life's. These are just some of the more common results I get reported to me, some say it has given them a whole new outlook on their well being, how they take care of themselves and how they feel about themselves and their life entirely. Why don't you find out what results you can achieve by changing to this simple Evening Miracle. I am a single mum of four, three beautiful grown-up sons and my stunning daughter who is six. I've been a mum for 27 years now and it's been the most rewarding yet challenging journey of my life. I lost my mum to heart failure just before my 19th birthday she was just 37, I was devastated. My family pretty much fell apart from that moment on and I had to rely on myself. I was taking care of everyone, I already had a son who was two by that time, my sister was 14, my brother 18, and my father became an alcoholic. I guess that's part of the reason I care so much about people, but really I learned it from my mum, she cared deeply about people. Page 5
As life developed I became a single mum with three very energetic and boisterous boys, it was challenging at times and the stress I felt was immense. I knew I had to do something to not only combat stress, but look after myself. The threat of dying from a heart attack young and leaving my boys behind was a very real fear for me, I'd seen it happen to my mum and I believed if I didn't do something to look after myself in some way it was a real possibility it would happen to me. I began to develop a bedtime routine, after the long day and the stresses and strains had subsided and the boys were finally in bed I would sit in the quiet, switch off the TV, switch most of the lights off, light a candle and begin a skincare routine. I would really take time to massage my face, breathing deeply taking in the smells. Relax my mind, massage my arms and across my shoulders, I love to smell the scent as I fall asleep. Ahh the smell of Rose takes me to a place of peace. I would then massage my legs a little, we all know how good that feels after a long busy day, oh gosh just heaven. I didn't know it then, but what I was doing was more than dealing with stress levels, I was taking care of my well-being, taking care of myself, loving myself, making my self matter. I didn't know then that routine was going to change my life. Every single moment of that routine was going to matter deeply to me as I developed and my life went through different stages. I didn't realise how important the silence was going to become I just had the need for a little quiet after dealing with three noisy boys, little did I know that it was what would keep me sane. I couldn't know back then how important those scents would become, oh boy I love amazing scents, I came to learn what effect different scents have on us and how they help our well-being. I couldn't even begin to imagine just how significant taking 10 to 20 minutes to yourself at the end of a long day, to pamper and take care of yourself would be. This made me feel loved, important, I mattered to me. I slept better, I felt better, I was able to cope with stress better, heck I even felt happier and more positive. I developed a love of skincare and lifestyle products and began to notice a huge difference in not just the look and feel of my skin, also how I felt inside. This is why I developed Elise Marques, I learned I matter and I want you to remember that You Matter.
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Procrastination: The Thief of Living
Denise Joy Thompson Founder, Global Voice Radio Photo Credit:Â Richard Eads Photography
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The two weeks before I wrote this article the word “procrastination” appeared several times. One time was a FB post from a woman asking what was behind her procrastination. She asked if a psychologist in the group could answer. While not a psychologist, I am a therapist and coach and commented I could help her. Thus we had a great PM conversation about procrastination, goals, moving forward, letting go of fears and old dreams. It seemed from our conversation she had several “ah ha’s” and thoughts to sort through. There were several other mentions of “procrastination” a sign I could help others, and a bigger sign was perhaps I needed to take a deeper look at how procrastination was showing up in my own life. I do believe life mirrors what we need, not only what others may need. What is procrastination? Procrastination is a noun, ironically it can also be thought of as the action of inaction, or at least doing something else rather than what we are not doling. Procrastination is the action of avoiding, delaying or postponing an action!! Here is an idiom to keep in mind: "your first tip is to avoid procrastination". Lol. For me I love creating ideas for projects. I am a great “brainstormer”, forward-thinker, anything is possible kind of a gal. Then comes the work!! Oh no writing or building, implementing, and all of the thinking!! This can be difficult, overwhelming, time-consuming, and sometimes it is not fun!! Our mind then creates wonderful stories for us, I, to listen to embrace supporting not doing what we are procrastinating from doing.
Richard Branson notes “Procrastination is the thief of time: too many great ideas fall flat due to lengthy decision making.” Page 16
I read this to also mean due to lengthy inaction. This follows the parable of the 3 Frogs. There were once three frogs on a log and one of them made a decision to jump in. How many were left? Answer: There are still three frogs on a log, he only made the decision to jump. There was no ACTION to jump. Decision making is great, the second part is doing the “making”; not just “decisioning”. (hmm… a new word. How often do you spend “decisioning” and not making?) Why do we procrastinate? In reading through answers on Facebook and having had patients and clients talk about not doing something (procrastination), here are several main reasons: ** Fear of not being good enough regarding the achievement/accomplishment ** Lack of skills to perform task (when in reality there is no lack) ** Lack of time (hmmm…. No, not the right answer) ** Story of “don’t need that goal” (or promotion or award, or contract; selling themselves short) ** Am I good enough, do I deserve it, what will others think? There are variations on all of these themes. It is true if the alignment of one’s life and the “supposed” goal is not there, then it is easier to “procrastinate” and become stagnate. At this point is time to create an alignment between one’s life and a goal/accomplishment. A major thought about procrastination came as a result of the sudden death of a close friend. Death of a loved one is always difficult, it is even more difficult when our “affairs” are not in order. Not only do our personal affairs need to be in order; as a business owner, or entrepreneur, it is of utmost importance to have contingencies in place in our business when we, or a loved one dies who was an integral part of the business. The Dalai Lama said “You must not procrastinate. Rather, you should make preparations so that even if you did die tonight, you would have no regrets. If you develop an appreciation for the uncertainty and imminence of death, your sense of the importance of using your time wisely will get stronger and stronger.” This brought tears to my eyes in thinking of my dad’s sudden death 3 years ago and my friend’s death last week. Think about where you are in this moment, reading this article. Ask yourself are you prepared, (or is this something you have procrastinated from taking action on) for the death of a spouse, child, a business partner, an employee or yourself in regards to how life and business will be taken care of. Here are a few things to take action to be prepared regarding your death or that of a loved one: 1. Access to credit card information and passwords of you and your family members 2. Access to all bank accounts, loans, etc 3. Access to passwords of phone, social media and email accounts 4. Extra set of car keys and house keys 5. Updated will 6. Funeral arrangements, are they pre-planned and written out, who has access to this information 7. Life insurance for you and family members, how much is needed, how much can you afford? Page 17
In regards to business, there are some similarities and specific differences: 1. Access to Client list and contact information 2. Access to creditors, business accounts, credit cards, invoices 3. Access to lawyer, CPA, Virtual Assistant, anyone working with/for the business 3. Insurance to cover loss of income from business 4. Strategy to sell or dissolve the business 5. Appointment of executor of the business This list is not exhaustive and is intended to start the decision making and the action of preparation for a subject often pushed aside until it is too late. This is too important though and addressing it now can actually make living much easier for ourselves and our loved ones. There is much to be gained through taking action and not falling down the rabbit hole of procrastination. “Success is on the other side of FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real).” We have everything we need to achieve our goals, the main thing we have is support in supplying what we do not personally have, and there is no lack of resources in our world. We only need to ask. In the words of Glenda the Good Witch to Dorothy, “You had the power all along my dear.” Remember, “once you take a single step in the direction you want to go, everything changes.” (author unknown). “To move past procrastination, take one step more than you did a minute ago. (–author Denise Joy Thompson) In memory of my friend Jamie, gone too soon from this world.
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DENISE JOY THOMPSON Denise Joy Thompson is the CEO of Global Broadcasting LLC, founder of Global Voice Radio and owner of The Coach Alliance. Denise Joy is a coach, a champion for people finding their power within, a catalyst for transformation, a speaker, writer, a Colonel and Veteran. After more than 27 years as a therapist and a military member, including two deployments, Denise Joy has transitioned to coaching women (and a few good men) in creating their businesses and a life they love to live. Denise Joy is the creator, compiler, and co-author of Live In Gratitude Daily: The Key to Abundance, Joy and Love and Discover Your Destiny, Live Your Dreams, Love Your Life: Expert Tips On Creating Success. Denise Joy has been a co-author in several #1 International best-seller anthologies. She was also a featured expert in the I Am Enough and Unleashed magazines in 2016. Denise Joy is the Host of Live In Gratitude Daily and Your Global Voice and a co-host of The Author’s Message on Global Voice Radio. Denise Joy is described as energetic, fun-loving, adventure-minded, determined, loyal, and a deep thinker. She believes strongly in the ability of everyone being an ACE (Authentic, Courageous and Empowered) and promotes creating and living a life one loves to live! Denise lives near San Antonio an in her spare time she loves traveling, wine tasting, and reading. Connect with Denise at thecoachalliance@gmail.com denisejoy@globalvoiceradio.com, www.facebook.com/denisejoythompson www.facebook.com/groups/globalvoiceradio. www.facebook.com/groups/liveingratitudedaily, and www.globalvoiceradio.com.
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ARE YOU READY TO SHARE YOUR BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY TO HELP OTHERS?
Are you ready to up-level your visibility and share your message with the world? Say Yes to being a co-author in "The Rollercoaster Ride of Business" compiled by Hannah Edwards and Denise Joy Thompson.
Become a published author in 2018, share your experience and expertise of surviving your first year as a business owner/entrepreneur. Help others to move forward by using your tips and recommendations. Contributers will be featured on Global Voice Radio and in Empowered Business Magazine.
For more information email Hannah at empoweredmagazineuk@gmail.com or Denise Joy Thompson at thecoachalliance@gmail.com.
ACADEMY OF ROBOTICS CLOSES FUNDING IN 6 HOURS, TURNING DOWN AN ADDITIONAL £500K The Academy of Robotics Electric autonomous vehicle company, the Academy of Robotics, has closed its latest funding round in under six hours. The investment came in so quickly that founder William Sachiti turned down an additional £500,000 that was offered. The Academy of Robotics is currently developing Kar-Go, the autonomous delivery vehicle. Kar-Go hopes to shake-up the delivery market by removing 90% of the costs involved in making a delivery – helping to increase profits for logistics companies and decrease costs for consumers. By using a combination of advanced robotics and driverless vehicle technology, Kar-Go is designed to autonomously drive on unmarked roads such as residential areas. Unlike many driverless vehicles that are best-suited to main roads and highways, Kar-Go is specifically designed with small, residential side-streets in mind. The company recently announced it hired award-winning designer Paul Burgess who left his role at McLaren to become chief designer at the Academy of Robotics. The company has developed its own vehicle chassis and proprietary software and has filed several patents around autonomous vehicle technology and autonomous delivery for more complex logistics environments. The Academy of Robotics is partnered with UK car manufacturer Pilgrim Motorsports with whom they are working to build the street-legal versions of their autonomous vehicles at Pilgrim’s production facility in the UK. The founder of the Academy of Robotics, William Sachiti said: “It has been 10 months since we closed our last funding round, as costs constantly change, there was a need to raise an additional 70K to take us through production. We reached out to our existing investors and showed them our progress to date and then simply asked them to help close the funding gap. In under six hours, we had pledges for over 100K from half a dozen investors. Within 24 hours, pledges reached nearly half a million. “Half the formula for a winning start-up is having great investors aligned with it, who react decisively to funding rounds and requests for investment. We are very lucky to have great investors on board who fit into this category. My job is to steer the company in the right direction while also looking after the interests of the existing investors, which is why I only accepted 100K and turned down the rest. Page 21
“I am not keen on taking a bunch of money and then subsequently diluting our existing shareholders. In terms of fundraising, we will soon raise a larger round as we roll out and begin trials but there is value in waiting until our prototype is complete. After the prototype is complete, we will be able to raise at a bigger valuation which is much better for the shareholders we have currently. “Working on Kar-Go has been an incredible collaborative journey between people in four countries, national retailers, logistics companies and our tech partner NVIDIA. We are on the final stretch and can’t wait to show the world what we have all been working on” The company was recently mentioned by Richard Branson when asked who he thought might be among the first to put autonomous cars on the UK's roads. Branson also linked to Kar-Go on his Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. For more information about Kar-Go see:www.academyofrobotics.co.uk and https://youtu.be/9tSSPhGvYKE About The Academy of Robotics Academy of Robotics is a UK company specialising in creating ground breaking robotics technologies such as autonomous vehicles. Their first commercial solution, Kar-Go, is an autonomous delivery vehicle that will vastly reduce the last-mile costs associated with deliveries. The Academy was initially set up at Aberystwyth University, and now has offices and development workshops in Wales, London, and Brighton.www.academyofrobotics.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/wemakeai https://twitter.com/wemakeai http://www.instagram.com/wemakeai https://youtu.be/9tSSPhGvYKE
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LAUNCH OF ETHICAL FITNESS AND YOGA APPAREL BRAND WHICH SAVES LIVES BY PROVIDING FOOD, WATER AND IDENTITY TO CHILDREN IN NEED AROUND THE WORLD Asuno Asuno UK, a new ethical fitness and yoga clothing brand, is launching tomorrow with the aim of providing premium quality fitness apparel that will also make a real, tangible difference in the world. Every Asuno purchase supports a specific charity. Each clothing item represents a particular cause and has a metric tied to it. When you buy an item, this metric is carried out by their supporting charities. For example, one T-Shirt provides seven life-saving food supplements. To achieve this Asuno has partnered with three charities: 1. Plump'd is a UK-registered charity dedicated to fighting child hunger. For every purchase Plump'd will provide at least seven Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) sachets to children in need. 2. Water for Africa is currently based both in the UK and The Gambia. Every purchase provides funding towards the completion of their next water well. 3. Toybox is a UK based charity with a vision of a just world with no street children. For every 13 purchases, Toybox can provide a child with a birth certificate, an identity and a future in Guatemala. You can choose by charity or by colour– it’s up to you. But either way you’ll look good, feel good and do good. The range has been developed by fitness enthusiast Ben Moreland who wanted high quality fitness clothing that would not only be functional and comfortable but that would also contribute to the lives of children in need around the world. ‘I believe every business has the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world.’ explains cofounder Ben. ‘And this belief is at the heart of Asuno. Every item in the range is designed to be versatile, functional, and comfortable, as well as having a very clear charitable metric. We wanted customers to be able to see clearly how their money was being used and what a difference their purchase was making to the life of a child in need.’ Asuno is launching its Empower Men's Technical T-Shirt, designed for fit and performance, and its Embrace Women's Leggings line, which are flattering, super comfy and allow for movement and support, on IndieGoGo today. Page 23
‘We’ve been testing the range to ensure each item really does provide a comfortable, supportive fit - and the feedback has been fantastic. So, now we’re ready to launch it to a wider audience via IndieGoGo with the aim of changing the lives of a million children across the world.’ Asuno is available exclusively through IndieGoGo until 24th August here: https://bit.ly/2FDtqNb
ABOUT ASUNO Ben Moreland is co-founder of Asuno, a Manchester-based fitness and yoga clothing brand passionate about making an impact on the world. Using the city as inspiration, the team design beautiful, premium quality, functional fitness clothing that saves lives. Every item in the range is linked to an individual charity and each purchase provides a specific action from alleviating hunger to providing access to water and helping children build an identity. Web: www.asuno-uk.com Instagram: @asuno.uk Facebook: /asuno.uk Indiegogo Community Crowdfunding: https://bit.ly/2FDtqNb
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CHARGEDUP - THE BORIS BIKES OF PHONE CHARGERS LAUNCHES IN LONDON THIS MONTH – AND THEY ARE ALL POWERED BY GREEN ENERGY ChargedUp Ever been out exploring the city and your phone’s battery died at the worst time? Well, the solution is finally here. London-based company, ChargedUp is taking the bike sharing model and bringing it to mobile phone charging. ChargedUp has developed a network of vending stations where, for a small fee, users can borrow portable battery banks, use them for as long as they need and then return them to a station of their choosing. You can locate a station using the ChargedUp app and then simply scan the QR code to release a battery. Each battery can charge a phone twice over and comes with connector cables for both iPhone and Android. The entire ChargedUp network runs on 100% green energy, made possible by a partnership with Ecotricity. ChargedUp aims to be the go to solution for Londoners who constantly find themselves low on battery. Founder and CEO Hugo Tilmouth comments; “Battery life has not managed to keep up with the demands we put on our Smartphones, and running low part-way through the day is now a common, and very frustrating, occurrence. It was certainly driving us mad! Which is why we developed ChargedUp as an easy, cost-effective way to charge your phone on the go. From as little as 50p, you’ll always be fully charged. “We also wanted to ensure that we had protecting the environment at the heart of the business, which is why all the batteries are charged using green energy from Ecotricity, whilst also utilising the sharing economy to reduce lithium battery consumption” ChargedUp’s innovative battery rental stations are launching across nearly locations in London this month. ChargedUp aims to be in over 1000 venues in London by the end of 2018 and will expand beyond the capital in early 2019. The company is looking to work Pret-A-Manger, TFL and Wetherspoons to ensure you can borrow a battery on every high-street in the UK. Page 25
To welcome users on board, when you download the ChargedUp App (see:bit.ly/2lkgS5A) you receive your first two charges completely free. The App is live and the ChargedUp stations are available to use across London today. Pick up from one station – drop off at another. There is no need to waste time waiting for your battery to charge – you can keep moving and get on with your day. About ChargedUp: ChargedUp is a network of dispensing stations that allows users, for a small fee, to borrow a battery pack from one location, charge their mobile device and return the battery to another location. All the batteries are recharged using 100% green energy. Located in restaurants, cafes, transport hubs, sports stadia, and tourist attractions; users will never be far from a ChargedUp station. Website: www.chargedup.green Twitter: @ChargedUpWorld Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargedUpWorld/
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TIPS FOR KEEPING THE WORKSPACE ORGANISED Gideon Schulman When working in a business, organisation is crucial. From the smallest things such as labelling trays to employee document data, having a strong organised office will automatically improve efficiency. The amount of time colleagues spend searching for missing work can soon add up, and not only will it increase productivity, but it will make life easier for everyone in the office. Gideon Schulman is the HR Director at Pytronot, and shares his advice on keeping the workplace organised. Make a list Before any organisation take over begins, start by making a list. Take a step back and gather colleagues to discuss what areas of the office need tidying up. This will help create an image of where to start and how things can be improved. Simply moving a printer or filing cabinet could give the office a brand new look. After having a group discussion, begin tackling each area one by one. Ask for opinions from those who use a certain area more frequently than others, as it’ll benefit them the most. Labelling As basic as this may seem, having everything labelled can save huge amounts of time. Whether you work in a big business or small one, labelling important documents, trays or even bins makes life easier for everyone. It also helps towards the prevention of losing important paperwork. Communication is crucial in a business and so being organised with labels allows employees to simply shout out to a colleague if they’re looking for a piece of work. In turn saving the individual time when browsing through hundreds of files. Files and folders For any business, folders are a lifesaver. They help to keep everything stay clean and tidy, whilst saving time when searching for work. A great idea is to invest in a stand or file organiser to help keep everything together. Colour coordinating folders for certain sectors within a business is another great way to stay organised. Financial documents, employee data or previous work projects can all have their own dedicated colour, meaning a quick glance will help to locate specific folders faster. It is also worth noting that employee data and financial documents need to be kept secure and so investing in folders that can be locked could be worth while. Page 28
Employee data There are many cases of employee data being leaked in businesses, which could reap huge problems. Don’t take the risk. Ensure your data, wages and contracts are fully organised and kept in a safe space. Investing in a HR solution expert will help with taking care of this, allowing you to concentrate on running your business the best you can. By using a HR professional or team, it assures you they will always be on hand to offer any advice as well as take the role of organising business elements such as payroll. Office calendars Giant wall calendars not only help to organise events, holidays and important dates, but they keep employees in the loop about what is happening within the business. It’ll save the time of employees asking questions because a quick glance at the calendar will give them the answer. Important information and dates aren’t to be messed around with, and if mistaken could cause huge trouble. Spread the word clearly to staff at how important the calendar is how it shouldn’t be tampered with. Gideon Schulman, HR Director at Pytronot. www.pytronot.co.uk
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INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST WRITER: BRIDGET ZYKA Bridget Zyka is the latest fabulous person to join the Empowered Business Magazine team! She will be here monthly reminding business owners to love their bodies! BUSINESS NAME: The Body Positivity Coach INDUSTRY: Health and Wellness CONTACT EMAIL: thebodypositivitycoach@gmail.com Tell us about your business Empower Women to Build their dream life, Be Happy and Love their Body Why did you decide to start your business? I wasn't Happy with the way Women were being treated by society. Since the moment We can Walk and talk. We are being constantly judged and labelled. We are Somebody's Daughter, sister, niece, cousin, partner etc We are never allowed to "Just Be". We try to blend in due to pressure from society and dim our light keeping our natural talents and gifts hidden from the World. I Want Women to Know That they are more than Enough and deserve to be truly Happy. Did you run into any difficulties along the way? It hasn't been easy, It's my drive and determination to give back and Help other Women in similar situations to Know That you can live the life of your dreams. We sometimes just need that extra kick and somebody acting as our own personal cheerleader. How do you "switch off" from your business when you are having self-care? My ways of practising self-care involve getting into nature as often as possible. We recharge our phones and devices regularly Why not recharge ourselves. I Have a bicycle and I usually cycle every day to a local park. I sit there and "Just Be" No distractions just sitting there and appreciating all the little things around Me. I also take myself on little dates. I'll find a nice coffee shop or restaurant and just enjoy the time alone. Self-care doesn't Have to be expensive it's as simple as buying some flowers for yourself, lighting some candles, using the good body lotion. Just being kinder to yourself in general. What is the best thing about having your own business? Definitely all the amazing Women I Have met along the way. Getting to form connections all around The World with Women Who are all on a mission to change The World.
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What is the worst thing about having your own business? It would Have to be the fact taht you are responsible for every facet of your business. You need to make all the important decisions While this can be Empowering it can sometimes also be daunting. What support have you had along the way? I've joined various Networking groups and attended Events to connect with other Women in Business who are experiencing similar issues and can relate to teh entrepreneur rollercoaster journey. Who has been your inspiration and why? In terms of Body Postivity, it Would have to be Tess Holliday and Ashley Graham. They are both role models for Women all over The World and fearless in their opinions and dedication to equal representation of all body types and shapes. Where do you hope to see your business in the future? I want to take it global delivering Motivational Speaking events arind the World, running my own Workshops and Retreats. What tips would you give to someone who is just starting out? The main one is to be patient, it always takes a lot longer than expected to be successful. You need to keep perservering and try over a million ways of doing something before making a return on it. You need to be driven by passion not money as it will take a long time to generate any profit. Page 31
WHAT IF WE AS WOMEN JUST LOVED OUR BODIES? A Journey to Body Positivity I’ve been that person spending 4 hrs a day in the gym to be slim. Was I Happy? Yes temporarily until the endorphins wore off. It was taking over my life and I was no longer enjoying it, I was forming an unhealthy addiction to exercise. Then I changed my Mindset and way of thinking. What if we as Women just loved our bodies? What if we did exercise for pleasure and to make our body feel good? What if we didn’t beat ourselves up for not being the ideal body weight?. Page 32
What if we didn’t go to the gym and constantly make bargains with our brain that If we do this workout we can be good afterwards? That we would fit into the dream dress. That we would attract the perfect man. Get that relationship, get that dream job. What if we were truly at one and at peace with the body and divine vessel we lived in? Would that just be too easy? It can be done. Our body is amazing just as it is, it pumps blood through our veins, air through our lungs, information in our brain waves allows us to experience magnificent things in everyday moments. Go outside, go into nature, find a quiet spot to relax and just be, just breathe in the moment. Be thankful to just be alive. Share this with someone you think needs to hear this most today. Page 33
SEVEN WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is defined as “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (World Health Organization). Yet so often when work takes priority – and you’re busting a gut to meet deadlines, chair meetings, satisfy clients and motivate teams – that ability to ‘work productively and fruitfully’ can be stretched to breaking point. The more you push yourself, the harder it can become to cope with those normal everyday stresses of life. Yet taking some time to invest in our mental health can help us live richer and more fulfilling lives.
Key to optimum mental health is the ability to build resilience to enable us to cope with whatever life throws at us. Here I suggest seven practical ways to make that investment in your emotional wellbeing… 1. Know your stressors The first step towards optimum mental health is knowing what stresses you out. Your stressors may be lack of time, an overwhelming workload, a cluttered environment, a fractious relationship, a crowded train. Whatever your pressure point is, stress can burn you up and turn your energy to ashes. To keep your flame lit, get to know your triggers. Once you know them you can take steps to monitor them and reduce them. . Look at alternatives to the stressor and introduce those new, positive things into your life. Lowering your stress levels buys you some time before you snap Page 35
2. Bracket your worries Worry has a nasty habit of creeping into your thoughts and twisting them until your mind has created a worst-case scenario. Worrying can spoil your day and stop you living a full life. Worry robs you of the present because you’re absorbed with what might happen in the future. To support yourself in worrying less, try these two things. Firstly, agree with yourself that you will only worry about things that you have some control over. Let everything else go. Secondly, if you need to worry give yourself a set time each day – say, 20 minutes – when you can allow yourself to worry, worry, worry. When the 20 minutes are up, you can leave the worry behind and take it up again at the same time tomorrow. 3. Express your feelings Expressing how you feel is vital to mental health. Bottling things up never works: eventually, the feeling you’re trying to suppress will come out sideways. It’s OK to have feelings. There’s nothing right or wrong with a feeling. Speak to a friend or loved one and tell them how you feel. Speak to a therapist if you feel you need professional support. Or start a journal where you check in with yourself daily and write down what’s happening in your inner world. You’ll feel the relief of unburdening yourself, and you’ll find you can begin to make more sense of what’s going on for you.
4. Prioritise self-care This is about putting your own oxygen mask on before you help others. You may feel it’s selfish to put yourself first when there are other people who need you, and the business won’t run itself. But without self-care, you won’t have anything to give others. By self-care, I mean ensuring you sleep and eat well, take some exercise, and build in some time to relax or meditate. Tune in to your needs and aim to meet them where you can. 5. Stay connected It can be so tempting to tune the world out and isolate yourself as an antidote to the 24/7 demands of life. Yet part of the definition of mental health is ‘making a contribution to your community’. Staying connected with people – friends, family, groups, or even volunteering for a good cause – can build the feel-good within. Page 36
6. Create a project Do something just for fun. Build, draw, write, paint, dance, act, knit, learn. Choose something that makes your heart sing. Do something you love just for the sake of it – not because you’ve got a deadline to meet or a client to impress or a point to prove. Whether it’s finishing a tricky jigsaw, crocheting a blanket, or starting a vegetable garden, having a project can give you meaning and purpose. It can put the spark back into your life. 7. Take the pressure off A lot of frustration in life is caused by expecting perfection. Having incredibly high standards that you expect everyone to meet can often lead to feelings of disappointment and resentment. Selfpressure can be even worse. Your inner slave-driver can torture you with ‘shoulds’, ‘musts’ and ‘ought tos’, leaving you feeling as though what you do will never be enough. That’s exhausting and can lead you down the road to anxiety and depression. Taking the pressure off yourself, and giving everyone permission to be imperfect, can be so freeing. Accept that you’re good enough just as you are.
Psychotherapist and journalist Karen Dempsey is one the contributors at this year’s Mental Wealth Festival. This two-day festival, organised by City Lit and Beyond Words, celebrates the many aspects of life that contribute to people’s mental wellbeing. This year the event takes place on 10 & 11 September in venues at City Lit, The National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament. Book your tickets here: http://www.mentalwealthfestival.co.uk/ Karen Dempsey is a psychotherapist and supervisor in a private practice in South London, and is lead counsellor with adult education college City Lit in Covent Garden. She has been a professional writer for more than 20 years. Karen is one of the contributors at this year’s Mental Wealth Festival – this two-day festival, organised by City Lit and Beyond Words, celebrates the many aspects of life that contribute to people’s mental wellbeing. This year the event takes place on 10 & 11 September in venues at The National Gallery, City Lit and the Houses of Parliament. Karen will be hosting a Writing for Wellbeing workshop on 10 September at City Lit. Book your tickets here: http://www.mentalwealthfestival.co.uk/ Page 37
PERSONAL STYLING WITHÂ RESHMA FIELD What is your contact email? info@ishbelswardrobe.co.uk What is your Business name? Ishbel's Wardrobe What industry are you in? Personal StylingÂ
Tell us about your business There are many facets to my business but ultimately I help people to look and feel amazing everyday. I do this through a combination of colour analysis, style consultations, wardrobe edits and personal shopping. I also help corporates to provide staff with presentation skills and how to make the most of their first impression. Why did you decide to start your business? I've always kept my eye on fashion trends, love shopping and most importantly want to empower people to feel confident in themselves and the way they present themselves to the world. I come from a corporate background and when I had the opportunity to re train as a Stylist, I jumped at the chance. My business brings out my creativity and love of fashion. It also enabled me to put my family first and spend a lot more time with them. Did you run into any difficulties along the way? Oh yes! It was things like setting up my website and getting to grips with social media that posed the biggest challenges for me. However, I got professional help with the website and help from fellow business owners for social media and now I've fully embraced it! How do you "switch off" from your business when you are having self-care? I always ensure that I have one day that is work free/social media light and spend time with my family. I also run and walk with my dog and that helps to clear my mind. Page 38
What is the best thing about having your own business? Definitely being my own boss. I can manage my work around my children and family life and sometimes I do forget that I'm actually working as I enjoy it so much. What is the worst thing about having your own business? This is so hard to answer because I love it so much. I suppose it's all the admin that goes with running your own business. That can be a bit time consuming. What support have you had along the way? I've had so much support from my mentor Katie Day (the lady who trained me) as well as family and friends. My fellow business owners have also helped me on numerous occasions when I've had technical issues or struggled with figuring out how to utilise social media. Who has been your inspiration and why? My children. I want to show them that you can be a successful businesswoman as long as you are determined, work hard and ensure you are an expert in your field. Where do you hope to see your business in the future? After the children have finished their GCSEs I have lots of plans to grow the business and work with more corporates on a regular basis. I would also like to be in a position where I can do some pro bono work for women who are struggling to get on the career ladder. I also enjoy working with young adults to help them prepare for their first interviews and working life so I would love to work with more colleges and universities. What are your favourite business tools? Instagram - I'm addicted! I also use it to research current trends and follow various fashion bloggers and influencers. What tips would you give to someone who is just starting out? Have a business plan and keep an eye on how you are progressing. Celebrate small milestones and always believe in your self and your abilities. Support other small businesses - they are your greatest allies and a source of great inspiration and support. And of course, network and don't be afraid to try new things. If they don't work, learn and move on.
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Who is Tara Button?
Who is Tara Button? What did you do before starting BuyMeOnce? I was an enthusiastic environmentalist from an early age. When I was seven, I “invented” a projector out of my dad’s torch and an old box and projected “save the world” onto my bedroom walls. The aim was to find a torch powerful enough to reach the moon and to project my plea for planet-saving there. Unfortunately, even my dad’s brightest torch didn’t quite get that far. My first loves are creativity, writing and coming up with ideas. I fell into a job in advertising, coming up with ideas to sell more chocolate spread and sofas. While I enjoyed the creativity, I did not feel like I was bringing much good to the world; therefore, when the idea of BuyMeOnce came to me and went viral, I jumped at the chance to make it my new profession. Why did you start BuyMeOnce/What inspired the idea? I came up with the idea for BuyMeOnce when I was given an amazing heirloom cooking pot guaranteed for a lifetime. I thought, “I want everything in my life to be like this.” So I went looking for a shop which brought together all the longest-lasting things in the world and I didn’t find one. Many of us buy the same cheap, shoddy things again and again. I realised quickly that BuyMeOnce should exist because not only would longer lasting products help the environment, but they would also save people money and stress. So despite having no experience, I started to build BuyMeOnce in my spare time and then suddenly it went viral. I was able to quit my job in advertising and build a team to help me fulfill my mission to change the way we shop. What was the first thing you did to get the idea off the ground? I started looking for products that were the “Best in category” for both sustainability and durability. One of the first products I found were Darn Tough socks which come with a lifetime guarantee. I thought “If you can get socks which last for years, then this idea of mine might just work.” I also had to work out how to build a website, it was a long and painful process and I spent many an evening on the helpline to Squarespace trying to work out what I was doing wrong, but slowly the site started to come together. What is something you wish you would’ve known in business when you started? I wish someone had told me to ask experts for help earlier. I struggled alone for a really long time. I think lots of people get worried about sharing a business idea in case it’s stolen, but in fact, the chances of someone else having the same drive and determination to make your idea succeed is very unlikely. I would encourage budding entrepreneurs to talk about what they need to move forward with everyone, you never know what aid and allies might come your way. What does conscious living mean to you? Finding time to think about what is important to you, not just in this moment but in the future. What do you want your legacy on this earth to be? If we don’t think about this, our legacy can be nothing more than a pile of clutter, rubbish and pollution. We should constantly be asking ourselves how we are improving our world and the lives of the people upon it, and the lives that are still to come.
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How do you personally practice a sustainable lifestyle? Are you a minimalist/zero waste? I am a recovering shopaholic and when I get stressed I find it very tempting to reach for quick, cheap, convenient options. However I have changed massively in my habits. I no longer impulse buy as I spend the time to think about what I want to bring into my life. I am working towards being more zero waste. Modern culture does not help you to do this. There is packaging on everything and throwaway items are flung at you from every side. I now have zero waste options in place in my home, so we no longer buy kitchen roll, wet wipes, tissues or cling film. I also carry my own cutlery and cup. What is your best advice for someone looking to shop more sustainably? Think about what you really need, both now and well into the future. Buying impulsively for the short term is what leads to waste. Subscribe to a couple of sustainable blogs and learn to question whenever you find yourself reaching for your wallet. Is this item going to serve me well? Is it going to bring me joy in the long term? Or will it just be an extra bit of clutter to dust around. Take the time to discover your true tastes and what suits you, so that everything in your life fulfills you. As a female entrepreneur, have you received any kind of pushback? How? As an employee, I was undervalued and sometimes my thoughts and ideas were ignored. Then I noticed when a man said the same thing. As CEO, this never happens, it’s one of the great joys of running my own business. I haven’t received anything but positivity from the business community so far. What are your favourite BuyMeOnce products?/Which BMO product couldn’t you live without? I couldn't live without my FIsher Space pen which has enough ink in it to last a lifetime; my Davek umbrella which makes me happy whenever I open it; and my Le Creuset cooking pot which makes everything I cook in it feel special. What is your personal mantra? Is this a keeper? I.e. Will this [item/person/thought/relationship/behaviour] nurture me and my life long-term? If not, it’s gone. I also collect mantras on my phone that inspire me: 1. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill) 2. Happiness is an inside job (Mandy Hale) 3. It doesn’t cost anything to be kind. (Unknown) 4. I love the quote by Joanne Clancy: “Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says "Oh, no! She's up.”
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Tara Button of BuyMeOnce Why is BuyMeOnce needed/why does it matter? Our relationship with stuff is broken. The world is constantly telling us that we need to have the next great thing, but at the same time, the quality of products has gone down. This has led to houses full of clutter, stressed out people who shop for the sake of shopping and get into debt. Most of the world’s scientist agree that we’ve got an environmental crisis. All of this can be solved with more mindful shopping of the things that we need long-term, but the products themselves need to meet that challenge. By doing all the research and finding the longest lasting and most sustainable products we are making it easy for people to shop in a more sustainable way. We find amazing brands that shoppers may not have heard of and at the same time, we campaign to get other companies to up their game and be less short-sighted. What are the environmental benefits of buying long term? It isn’t often talked about but buying for the long term can save a huge amount of energy & pollution and it’s so easy to do. E.g. if you buy a T-shirt that can last 2 years instead of 1 you save 24% of the CO emissions. If you buy once and buy well it means less mining, less factory pollution, less truck pollution and less waste.
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What are the personal benefits of buying long term? When you buy for the long term you naturally think more deeply about what you want from your life which leads to better decision making. You have less stress because the things around you let you down less often. Everything you do own brings you joy so you are surrounded by things that nourish you, serve you well and reflect your values. You save money in the long term because you have to replace things less often. Why should companies build things that last? What are the business benefits? When companies build great products that last they become classics, the products that are bought as wedding presents or gifted on special birthdays. They inspire customer loyalty generation on generation which in turn helps the company to last longer. People are looking for reasons to trust brands and there is a lot of marketing spin out there which is not backed up by the strength of the product. People are looking for authenticity and good brand stories. What has the customer reception to BuyMeOnce been like? The customer reception has been phenomenal. We have people from all over the world writing in to say they want to help and to wish us luck. What have been the main successes of BuyMeOnce? - Triggering press interest from around the world https://buymeonce.com/in-the-news/ - Launching our new website - Securing an exclusive deals to sell Solidteknics in the UK - Getting a book deal with HarperCollins What have been the main challenges of BuyMeOnce? Building a website that meets the demands of the thousands of people who want our service around the world. It’s hard to grow as fast as you like with a small budget and limited experience of business or management, but we’re getting there. What is the future of BuyMeOnce? Our goal is to create real change so we’re here for the long term. We want to be the first place people turn to for things that last. We hope to launch a BMO stamp, like a fair-trade symbol of longevity so that people will look for the BuyMeOnce stamp and know they are finding the best quality item. We will move into bricks and mortar stores at some point as we feel that it’s important that people get a chance to touch and see the objects that they are committing to.
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Are you a service based online business who is just starting or just entered the direct sales business such as ThirtyOne? Schedule a complimentary call today to get help to make that money and your business successful. http://bit.ly/sassycomplimentary
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ANDERSEN EV LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION EV CHARGING POINT – ALLOWING HOTELS, BUSINESSES ETC. TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAM
Anderson-EV
Makers of premium electric vehicle (EV) charging points, Andersen EV, has today launched the next generation of charge point, the A2. Keeping the sleek, sophisticated design profile of the original A1, this newer model boasts some brand-new features that make it stand out in a crowd. While the A1 was already fast-charge enabled, the A2 is enabled to be a Three-Phase charger, stepping up the output to a whopping 22kW. That’s three times the A1’s output and should charge most modern EVs to 80% in just 30 minutes. The A2 has the ability to connect to solar panels and power walls. This functionality means your EV can become truly carbon-zero to run. Simply collect the energy provided by the sun, store in your power wall, and charge your EV whenever you need it. The A2 is now SMART enabled with Andersen’s app, Konnect. Konnect allows you to control, monitor and manage your device from our mobile app. The Konnect app includes information on current charging status, live energy usage, charge cost, and time until fully charged. The Konnect app also allows you to lock or unlock the unit as well as cutting off or enabling power to the charging cables remotely. This can be a useful safety feature, especially when you’ve left your EV on charge at night. By enabling push notifications through the app, you will get an alert when your vehicle is fully charged, allowing you to cut the power even when you’re lying in bed! For hotels, businesses, and other venues hosting an Andersen A2 charge point, Konnect will provide information and management of grid load-balancing. Using this feature, the venue management can control how much power the charging points are drawing, ensuring that their grid isn’t overloaded. It can also be used to guarantee that all the connected vehicles are charged as quickly and efficiently as possible, while allowing for specific vehicles to be prioritised should the need arise. This can be very useful if they have a guest in need of a full charge in a short period of time, while another may not need their vehicle for several hours. Along with these new features, the A2 carries forward the legacy of the A1. The patented winding system, for example, keeps cables safely and neatly tucked away inside the unit, with a small courtesy light to allow for night charging. The magnetic lid is both aesthetically pleasing and makes the cable incredibly easy to access, allowing you to unwind your charging cable in a matter of seconds. Page 46
They’re resilient little units too. With an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 65, they are built with safety and reliability in mind. They can handle pretty much any weather, from freezing temperatures of -20°C to tropical 40°C heat and up to 95% humidity. They really can handle rain, snow or sun! All of Andersen EV’s charging points have a focus on design – from the compact, low-profile chassis to the discrete indicator lights on the front of the unit – every aspect of these charging points has been meticulously crafted. Customers can also customise their unit with a range of colours and the option of either wood or brushed metal finishes. For many of our customers, this is a key feature of the product range. Despite spending tens of thousands on their new EV, they are stuck with a plastic, utilitarian charging point that can spoil the look of their home. With customisable charging units from Andersen, they can get a beautiful unit that fits with the design aesthetic of their house. For peace of mind, all Andersen EV charging chassis are covered by a lifetime guarantee, and take care of all installation and servicing. The units are connected to the cloud via a WiFi connection, allowing us to spot any potential faults before they happen, sending engineers to fix the issue before it becomes a problem. It’s a simple touch, but one that makes all the difference! With the launch of the A2, Andersen expands its range of intelligent, functional and sophisticated charging points, continuing the focus on safety and aesthetics to provide a premium alternative to the stock charging points that accompany most EVs.
For more information see: Web: https://andersen-ev.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andersenEV/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/andersen_ev Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andersen_ev/
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START-UP TEA BRAND ROQBERRY WINS 7 AWARDS AT THE 2018 GREAT TASTE AWARDS
Roqberry Tea
Artisan tea brand, Roqberry, has won seven awards at this year’s Great Taste awards. Out of over 12,600 products to be judged, Roqberry was awarded three ‘2-star Great Taste awards’, which means judges dubbed the teas ‘above and beyond delicious’ and four ‘1-star Great Taste awards’, meaning the judges described the teas as ‘delivering fantastic flavour’. Judged by over 500 of the most demanding palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and producers, as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind-tasting by hundreds of judges. Roqberry’s awards and the judges’ comments: 2 STARS **Roqberry Peppermint Cream - Oolong Tea "A pleasing Oolong with sound delivery of cacao and peppermint. Creamy, rounded, complex and beautifully balanced." 2 STARS ** Roqberry Sushi & Spice - Green Tea "A clever blend, with ginger brightening the seaweed umami notes. Gentle roasty rice notes form a pleasing background." 2 STARS ** Roqberry Jasmine Dragon Pearls - Artisan Green Tea "Good quality pearls produced a lovely, pale infusion, highly aromatic. A good jasmine balance throughout." 1 STAR * Roqberry Masala Chai - Spiced Black Tea "A really pleasing and warming but gently spicy flavour. A simply delicious tea." 1 STAR * Roqberry Sweet Grapefruit - Green Tea "Good liquorice use adds a creaminess, and the infusion is nicely rounded." 1 STAR * Roqberry Long Jing "A clear, bright liquor with gentle brassica character." 1 STAR * Roqberry Citrus Grey - Black Tea "The base tea is very good here and the blend well managed - the infusion is bright, and you can taste the component parts." Page 48
Award guide: 2-star: Above and beyond delicious 1-star: A food that delivers fantastic flavour. Roqberry founder Kim Havelaar comments; “Roqberry is all about the flavour. So, for our teas to be recognised in this competition is especially rewarding. Achieving a total of 10 stars, across seven awards, and to have three of our teas classified as ‘above and beyond delicious’ and four as ‘delivering fantastic flavour’ is wonderfully encouraging!” Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste values taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. All products are removed from their wrapper, jar, box or bottle before being tasted. This year’s panel of judges included: MasterChef 2018 champion, Kenny Tutt; chef and food writer, Elly Curshen; eco chef and food writer, Tom Hunt; author and chef, Zoe Adjonyoh; baker Tom Herbert; author and blogger, Izy Hossack; and baker and recipe writer, Martha Collison; as well as food buyers from Harrods, Selfridges and Sourced Market. About Roqberry Roqberry is a new brand of tea, specifically focused on foodies, tea and food pairings, and bringing big flavour to tea. With high quality ingredients, hand blended in the UK, Roqberry offers both unique flavoured blends as well as top quality artisan varieties. Flavours include fresh expressions of classic blends, such as smooth and sunny Citrus Grey, as well as extraordinary new fusions like savoury Sushi & Spice. The naturally caffeine free infusions range from spiced Turmeric Chai to floral Bloom Box. And the speciality Tea Legends include artisan varieties like Jasmine Dragon Pearls that remain true to tradition.www.roqberry.com Web: www.roqberry.com Twitter: @roqberrytea Instagram: @roqberrytea Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoqberryTea/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roqberry/
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COMPANY TAKES ON 20TH MEMBER OF STAFF JUST TWO YEARS AFTER ALMOST HAVING TO CLOSE The Distance DOWN Mobile app agency The Distance has welcomed its 20th member of staff – just two years after having to cut back to only two staff and being just one retained client away from closure.
Nine years ago, Anthony Main launched the business from the spare room in his flat. It grew steadily and in 2012 merged with another agency Media Make, ran by Ryan Atkins. Together they formed The Distance. During the following three years the pair grew the business further, selling mobile apps and ecommerce solutions to clients both in the UK and around the world. The company grew to a staff of 15 and was recognised in the industry with a number of prestigious awards. However, things took a turn for the worse and the two companies de-merged and Ryan left. This left Anthony with a dilapidated pipeline and it seemed no matter what he tried, the unknown impact of the referendum prevented leads from converting. In the end, after struggling for 18 months, the staff agreed to go part-time to help the business survive this difficult period. To make matters worse a key developer had an accident and was hospitalised for three months – meaning decisions couldn’t be made. Anthony now had little choice but to let the rest of the staff go – leaving just himself and the accident-prone developer, to turn the business around. The company surrendered its office and moved in with a partner business. The business was only saved from closure when, in August 2016, a key client signed a long-term contract and the pair’s future began to look a little more confident. The following week new business clients started to appear, booking development slots, with Anthony closing over £120k in new business in the following three weeks. Within three months he had signed a new ten year lease on their current 1800 sq.ft office and was back to six full time staff. The Distance now boasts a range of blue-chip clients including Virgin Trains, PGA golf, Astra Zeneca and Bentley. In just two years the company has gone from being a few days from closing, to its highest turnover to date. The Distance is flourishing, is taking on new staff, and has ambitious plans to triple its turnover in the next three years. Web: https://thedistance.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedistancehq Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedistancehq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-distance/ Page 50
THE INTROVERT’S PUBLIC SPEAKING TOOLKIT By Kay Heald, Toastmasters International
Did you get told you were shy when you were a child? Do you find yourself avoiding the spotlight? To succeed in as a business owner or in your corporate career you need to find a way to become good at public speaking and presenting – and even learn to enjoy it! Ever since I was young I’ve been concerned about speaking in public: sweaty palms, dry mouth and that prehistoric instinct to run away. I convinced myself it was due to shyness. However, the truth is I have a predisposition to ‘introversion’. Shyness and introversion are very different. Extroverts are energised by being with people, introverts can also enjoy company, but being with people uses up their energy, so they will eventually need to go off to recharge. Eventually, I started practising public speaking in a safe and supportive environment and discovered plenty of ways to channel my introverted behaviour and gain confidence. I have been developing my own ‘introverted public speaking’ toolkit ever since and am happy to share key tips with you. Speak authentically The world is full of great introverted public speakers, but their introversion is rarely noticed. Barack Obama is just one of many high-profile introverted orators who overcame public speaking anxiety by focusing on a central theme, cause or mission that had greater importance than his own nerves. Page 51
When you talk passionately about a subject, not only is the content easier to remember, but it helps you feel more confident too. Give time to prep Take your time to prepare a structured and well-crafted speech, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Research your intended audience and make sure you structure the speech for their benefit rather than yours. This preparatory process is excellent for calming the nerves of an introvert, as it provides the infrastructure for a speech which I think of as a ‘comfort blanket’ for when you are rehearsing and then delivering your presentation My first talk took eight weeks to complete, it now takes around four. I have identified certain themes and structures that work well for me, such as starting with an open question for the audience or including a call to action at the end of a speech. Manage emotions You can control the negative and catastrophising elements of your brain, by literally visualising helpful cues and positive images to create a more conducive environment in which to carry out your performance. This helps combat the natural tendency of introverts to want to escape from a position of vulnerability and exposure. For one of my early talks, a more experienced public speaker shared a popular visualisation technique, to turn the heads of an audience into cabbages, but I found this too distracting. However, for me, I found turning them into friendly emojis made all the difference! Practice, practice, practice Become familiar with the content and timing of your speech with frequent practicing. Include practice onto a mobile device and in front of a couple of carefully chosen friendly people. This enables an introvert to convert their speech into a performance, allowing them to develop a suitable persona that gives them the inner-confidence to take to the stage. I think of my public speaking persona as my more confident (and slightly extrovert) virtual twin – still recognisably me, but with a few less introverted characteristics. It wasn’t until I started recording my rehearsal speeches that I noticed crutch and filler words such as ‘err’ and ‘so’ and a rather subtle but annoying gentle smacking of the lips as I pondered my next points. I’m now working on reducing these. Recognise the learning opportunity Treat your public speaking engagements as ongoing learning opportunities. For me, public speaking is rather like trying to master a traditional craft that requires continual practicing, nurturing and refinement. This longer-term approach suits introverts well, as they have a tendency to be over-critical of themselves and can easily undermine their confidence at an early stage. Page 52
I have found it really useful to occasionally have a friend in the audience, tucked away from my direct line of sight, who can help me review my speech afterwards in a constructive way over a cup of coffee. Replenish your energy Whether an introvert or an extrovert, you experience the adrenalin high of a successful presentation. However, as an introvert, you need to recognise the drain this will have on your energy levels. Remember you must also build in quality time to re-energise afterwards. Ideally get away from other people and recharge your batteries – perhaps by walking, watching TV or reading. Being an introvert can be a plus for public speaking. Many successful high profile speakers are introverts and you can use your shared traits to develop your skill in this area too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Introvert Kay Heald is from Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organisation that has provided communication and leadership skills since 1924 through a worldwide network of clubs. There are more than 400 clubs and 10,000 members in the UK and Ireland. Members follow a structured educational programme to gain skills and confidence in public and impromptu speaking, chairing meetings and time management. To find your nearest club, visit www.toastmasters.org
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