Learning counselling techniques and life coaching skills can be invaluable in any business. Becoming more people focused and understanding of others is a vital part of communication which I have always maintained as key to success.

We are never too old to learn new skills or enhance those we have. Having made the effort to update my own CV last year with various counselling qualifications I can honestly say it was time very well spent.  Working through the course work and taking the exams were, for me, just confirmation that I have always been right in my approach both in business and life.

People are important, apply understanding and tenacity in finding the right solution -it is there if you take time to look.

An ex-client and very wise man David Roberts, once said ‘It’s nice to be important but far more important to be nice’. He also agreed with me  that what was deemed by many  as ‘an old fashioned and honest approach to business’ was worth its weight in gold and vital in analysis of business intelligence – listen to your customers.

People, have and always will ‘buy from people’.

I, like many have been deeply saddened to think that hard sell tactics from charity staff has led to a generous lovely lady being led to despair. The telephone scams and bullying approach targeting the vulnerable, and so often the elderly should be stopped. Maybe if the culprits are fined, named and shamed it would stop.

I have been fortunate to have worked for over thirty years both as a freelancer and volunteer within the not for profit sector in various roles, including fundraising and have never resorted, been involved or witnessed such tactics. I believe in maintaining contact with donors but there are better ways of doing so!

As in any business (which charities have become) I have never believed  it necessary to bully people in to buying one’s product/services or beg on behalf of a cause however worthy.

Sadly it is the charities  that suffer as a result of this type of management that should never train sales/fundraising staff to act in this way! Again unnecessary -people buy from people anyway so train your staff to be polite, friendly and respect people’s privacy and choice.

Aside of being appalled at the training of staff, and over zealous management pushing commission based donations we all of course remain furious at how our personal data continues to be ‘sold on’ and abused.

Having donated to Nepal disaster recently, I did receive a follow up call but the staff from UNICEF were polite and not pushy and accepted I did not wish to set up a regular commitment – but I am not certain that vulnerable people are as firm as me generally when dealing with charity staff.

I think some of the larger charities have lost their way and maybe now’s the time to review their strategies and take a leaf out of the smaller charities book who still really value their donors.

Had several conversations with good friends and business colleagues this week wherein we all agreed, trying to keep everyone happy and remain professional and calm some days is hard.

I am surrounded by people like myself who are a giver but neglecting your own needs can be damaging. What surprises me is just how hard so many of us are on ourselves. Listen to your body and listen to what you are saying to those close…you know when you are doing too much and need a break..so take it.

We often forget just how in control of it all we really are, by just making a few sensible adjustments to our schedules/way we work and of course saying the ‘no word’ we can soon get back on track and feel better and be more productive.

So my tip for today is to regular take stock, re-focus and remind yourself exactly what it is you enjoy doing, need to do for you and adjust the balance accordingly.

Life is good, but not if you feel you are drowning in the chaos that let’s face it is more often than not self-created.

……and breathe!

So today said teenager as with thousands of others in six form has finished school and will go on study leave prior to those all important exams before university. Seems only a moment ago we were choosing secondary schools.

Education remains a constant subject in the press with discussions fueled this week with certain schools writing to children reminding them that results are not the be all and end all! Alarming or what?

In today’s society sadly it is expected to have a full cv of qualifications and as I debated with a  friend today time to do it is when you are young?? I have to disagree in part….as a mature student education is an ongoing journey and I hope I never lose the desire or hunger to learn new skills. Just starting my NLP course!

Yesterday’s blog was a tiny reference to marketing -whilst showing a client how to use her blog to connect to other media. All joking aside, it is very hard to keep up with all the various media and marketing that as self-employed/freelancers we need to do.

Recently I have been ghost writing articles for a few clients who are too busy to write their own. I enjoy this just as much as writing for myself and  one of the easiest ways to promote one’s consultancy services is to write an article about what we do and why we do it.

It is also a good way to have your advice in print whether it is in a trade press or on a website related to your chosen sector.

If you are having trouble in this area and would like me to ghost write for you: Please contact me via my blog or website. http://www.anniemanning.com to discuss ideas.

Just dip your toe in try a few things it is nowhere near as daunting as you may fear.

Nobody really likes promoting themselves…except us marketing types. Having a fab meeting with a colleague who sums it up well ‘It’s showing off’.

So fellow self-employed bods today is show off day!

From taking STATS to GCSE’s and A Levels, stress is something that our children have to learn to deal with as best they can. As parents the best we can do is be there for them and encourage rather than push. Try to keep their environment one of calm and tranquility…‘in a house full of teens?’ I hear my parent readers scream!!

Be flexible maybe on meal times around their study timetable and balance the all important treats with healthy food. Taking regular breaks and some form of exercise is vital to increase alertness. My daughter is doing the race for life, so running several times a week and already feeling the benefits.

My personal ‘nag’ is; ‘are you having enough sleep and drinking enough water?‘ -People really underestimate the value of keeping the body hydrated at all times…and for teenagers it helps flush out those toxins and keeps the spots at bay!  We want to look our best for Prom night!

So mums keep calm, teenagers keep calm and focused on that long term goal and above all remain positive…you can do this.

May is action on stroke month and The Stroke Association’s theme is to make it purple. For information on how you can participate, support and donate; please check out their website http://www.stroke.org.uk

Their purple campaign is going well on twitter recording various events -so no excuse not to support and donate to this amazing charity.

Don’t forget as with any charity awareness is as vital as fundraising..help any way you can please.

Have just visited the London Pet Show with my daughter (aiming to be a Veterinary Nurse) and attended Noel Fiztpatrick’s inspirational talk. What an amazing man with such a passion and presence, who makes real eye contact with his audience.

I was trying to watch him and at the same time scribble copious notes; he told personal stories amusingly but all encouraging to follow your dreams, reminding people to ask themselves ‘Is my reason big enough?’

How his Father had encouraged him to look at how sheep will get through the smallest of gaps..and how the smallest gap is full of possibilities.

His teacher had advised him; it is not for you to just understand the reason why, but finding a reason big enough to do what you want to do in life.

He spoke about the reason for caring and working with animals as being unconditional love.

He was also there to talk about his charity ‘The Humanimal Trust‘ …Animal and human healthcare moving forward together.

Their mission includes;

Create awareness of the benefits of practical implementation of One Medicine principles.

I have to confess already a great fan of the man and his work by the end of his talk I was feeling his passion and felt choked. We couldn’t wait to get to his stand for that photo shoot and make a donation. Please visit their website  http://www.humanimaltrust.org.uk 

The weeks of madness have culminated in a huge shock for many. Sad times for the Lib Dems, Sad times for a lot of people.

For the next generation, that sadly far too often get forgotten will not see a reduction in their university fees now for certain.

Time will tell if the Conservatives spin on the economy will herald their promises this time? Here’s hoping the NHS won’t become a casualty!!

As a wise man once said ‘put a blue rosette on a monkey and people will vote for it’ .  A lot of misplaced loyalty by the older generation may have seriously harmed the futures of their grand children.

Just my opinion…and no animals have been harmed in the making of this blog…but foxes and badgers beware now the conservatives rule.