I have had a week of euphoria. We were asked to tender for some business back in April and on Monday I received a phone call to confirm we had been awarded the contract. This is a very prestigious contract to win as it is the UK contingents and support workers going to the Scout Jamboree in Scandinavia. There will be nearly 4,000 from the UK going and so whilst it is not until the summer of 2011 we need to commence working on it. So in the past couple of weeks we have hade more meetings with our major airline partners, I have been to the Houses of Parliament for an event hosted by the Shadow Foreign Minister and attended a lunch where the Managing Director of City Cruises gave an address that was entertaining and heart warming as well as showing how their entrepreneurial and innovative thinking has put them in a premier position as the leading cruise company for London cruising on the Thames.
I have also been locked, though not literally in a room for many hours with Alan McArdle our Financial Director working on a business plan for an ambitious growth in the business. Working on new product and ideas that have been a result of brainstorming and talking to my co Directors, we are nearly there – and it is very exciting as we do think with our great team we can deliver to it.
Often peers and colleagues talk about whether they switch off at all. It makes for interesting answers- I was told yesterday by someone that they definitely switch off, to which I replied why then do I receive emails from you at 11p.m. It is the interpretation of what we do when we officially finish our day job- with so many in business having iphones and blackberries it is a speedy and efficient way of ensuring there is never a back log of things to do – and my colleagues answer was simple – ‘I can switch off because I have the facility to reply to things when it suits me rather than in the confines of a business day which leaves me relaxed and stress free’. To me switching off is actually more about not even thinking about the business – but I really know very few people that have the art of doing this.
I often think that is why our holidays are so good for busy people with very active minds – because switching their concentration to another subject they are interested in – be it wildlife, scenery or visiting historical sites – results in their mind being filled, whereby perhaps there is an argument to say if they are spending time on a sunbed – their focus and thoughts do stray to the work place.
Last weekend as part of our down time went with some friends to the Festival of speed at Goodwood. Wow – it is amazing, I am not a car fanatic but our friends are and they made the day so special as they could tell us so much about the history of cars and motor bikes – who has driven them, how many times they have won a Grand Prix etc. I think the incredible atmosphere of the place can pull people to become enthusiasts. All very well – but yet again a lame excuse to keep me away from my gym training – one week to go for Ben Nevis and I don’t see lifts being installed in a week!! Actually I tripped over yesterday but unfortunately all that was hurt was my pride and it so easily could have been a broken ankle which would have been a strong reason not to go – ah exercise I wish I could get my endorphins addicted to it – maybe they will kick in in the next few days…
About Mandy Nickerson
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Mandy endeavours to share her travel experiences (where she will 'tell it like it is') and also detail the latest exciting projects that she is involved in.
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