Business

Surprising things coaches do

Surprising things coaches do

We coaches are full of surprises it seems! Today I had no less than four different conversations in which I mentioned something that I do as a coach that surprised the other. It made me think how much of what I do is part and parcel to me and new to other people. Here are some of the […]

The SOUP is served fresh and hot

The SOUP is served fresh and hot

  Continuing on the theme of networking, the highlight for me this week was without a doubt attending the very first OxfordshireSOUP in Witney. SOUP? Originally from Chicago and firmly taking root in cash-strapped Detroit in 2010, the SOUP concept boils down to locals growing local businesses collectively through innovative crowdfunding. A brilliantly simple concept which was […]

The trouble with business networking

The trouble with business networking

Last month I delivered a workshop about business networking to one of my business networks. It is a little bit flattering to be invited to share some networking insights with a network, and so I made sure to create a few handy little tools for delegates to take away from the workshop‎ in a bid to […]

Networking, 007-style

Networking, 007-style

Like many business owners, I spend quite a bit of time on networking. Opportunities to meet other businesses and make new friends are plentiful in the Thames Valley and beyond, especially once you’ve made it onto the mailing list of a few networking groups – it snowballs from there. ‘Everyone hates networking’ Funnily enough a question which […]

Chairing versus Facilitating

Chairing versus Facilitating

Last week while facilitating a morning’s group work with an 18-strong board of directors, one of the delegates came up in a break to ask how chairing versus facilitating sessions differs. It is a really good question which I am asked more often, so here is how I explain it to my clients. Let’s have a meeting Meetings are […]

Humour at work

Humour at work

When I opened The Guardian this morning, I was greeted by the headline: Jeremy Clarkson joins Guardian drive for fossil fuel divestment. Of course – it’s April 1st today! The hammed-up, amusing piece brought back to mind a conversation about humour I had a few days ago. Earlier this week I had an impromptu coaching session […]

It’s Socius’s birthday!

It’s Socius’s birthday!

Yes indeed: companies have birthdays too! Socius Associates Ltd was incorporated exactly a year ago, which makes today’s date a little bit special. So, what’s been happening in that first year? As anyone who has set up their own business will tell you, the first year is one of steep learning, investing and lots and lots […]