Monday, 31 December 2007
Happy New Year...!!
Happy New Year to you all!! Remember life is short - break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly. love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile! x
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Santa saved by Fire engine!!
Santa arrived at his grotto in Wyvale Garden Centre, Dummer in style for his Christmas visit, in a 1970’s fire engine!
Relish People used their business contacts to help out when the original planned transport developed a problem. With the help of Sam Owens of The Studio based in Alton, a fire engine was found. The fire engine, supplied and driven by local man, Den Osman of The Fire Service Preservation Group, provided an excellent alternative.
Every year, Wyvale have a Santa’s Grotto and this year Naomi House, the local children’s hospice helped organise Santa’s visit and his Elf helpers. Just under half of the £5 to see Santa raised goes to the hospice and each child can expect a chance to ask Santa for what they want, and to get choice of some great toys!
Santa can be found at Wyvale Garden Centre Dummer every Saturday 10am- 4pm and every Sunday 11am – 3pm right up to Sunday 23rd!
For more information on Naomi House Children’s Hospice check out the website on www.naomihouse.org.uk.
Friday, 7 December 2007
Mary Queen of Shops
Wendy and I were asked by the BBC to take part in a show "Mary Queen of Shops" ( atelevision show where Mary is to struggling retail fashion shops, what Gordon Ramsey is to restaurants) and so yesterday we were filming at Wendy's house. Wendy is the real star out of the 2 of us, as she is just a natural in front of the camera and the mike (as her radio appearances on BBC Radio Berkshire, LBC, Delta FM and County Sound attest).
I however, am less comfortable with it - so was a little mortified when they decided that the clothes I had been given (which I hated) were going to be used as the "before and after" example!! I have very simple tastes, and clothes are made to be worn and forgotton, whilst looking ultra smart. I was put into a leopard print vest top thing, with an over jacket which was just hideous. The trousers had no shape to them at all and I was just swamped and felt completely fat (although I am not slim, with the right clothes on, I do at least feel like a woman)and ugly -yeowch.
I was redressed, and whilst I was not completely comfortable with the new outfit (partly because it was not my size and partly, because once again the shirt was just too fussy) I did at least feel a little more like myself!
It was actually very interesting to hear Mary's views on how Wendy, myself and a lady called Sue had been dressed, as she was very astute. She said that the clothes chosen by this particular boutique lady "deconstructed" our figures (and if I may so, our personalities), and that the message she got from us, was that we may be larger ladies, but we still want to flatter what we have and be true to our preferences rather than all be dressed the same...
Personally, I would rather not buy new clothes if they did not a) feel good b) looked good) and c) made me feel like I could concentrate on being me, rather than what I wore.
Reflecting on yesterday, the lesson for me was very much about recognising that each of us is very different, and that one size most definitely does not fit all!
I however, am less comfortable with it - so was a little mortified when they decided that the clothes I had been given (which I hated) were going to be used as the "before and after" example!! I have very simple tastes, and clothes are made to be worn and forgotton, whilst looking ultra smart. I was put into a leopard print vest top thing, with an over jacket which was just hideous. The trousers had no shape to them at all and I was just swamped and felt completely fat (although I am not slim, with the right clothes on, I do at least feel like a woman)and ugly -yeowch.
I was redressed, and whilst I was not completely comfortable with the new outfit (partly because it was not my size and partly, because once again the shirt was just too fussy) I did at least feel a little more like myself!
It was actually very interesting to hear Mary's views on how Wendy, myself and a lady called Sue had been dressed, as she was very astute. She said that the clothes chosen by this particular boutique lady "deconstructed" our figures (and if I may so, our personalities), and that the message she got from us, was that we may be larger ladies, but we still want to flatter what we have and be true to our preferences rather than all be dressed the same...
Personally, I would rather not buy new clothes if they did not a) feel good b) looked good) and c) made me feel like I could concentrate on being me, rather than what I wore.
Reflecting on yesterday, the lesson for me was very much about recognising that each of us is very different, and that one size most definitely does not fit all!
Friday, 16 November 2007
General Update
Well, I have been so busy, since I got back from Germany, I have been so busy, that I have barely had any time to myself!!
Since I got back, I have been working closely with one of our newest clients, I have been on 3 training courses, along with balancing emails, phone calls, and personal responsibilities and that does not include the fun, social stuff!
It reminds me that with the festive season looming, that being busy is something that in previous years, I have just assumed I would need to manage, which has even resulted in me being stressed.
Of course that needn't have been the case. Had I given a little more thought to what really needed to be done, I could have got through many of the previous holidays with some sense of sanity still remaining! I believe we can sometimes to be our own worst enemy when it comes to the to-do list.
If you are anything like me, it just seems to grow and yet, sometimes, when I have something else that is far more important than anything on the list, I find when I go back, most of it was never that important anyway!!
I am just going through my to do list for the beginning of October, and it is really great to notice, that either someone else has got on with it, or it is no longer important - how liberating!!
For tips on how to minimise your to do list - give me a call now on 01252 783 524
In the meantime, I have a deadline to write our newest edition to our portfolio of courses - all about managing the Christmas Festivities, running on the 5th DEcember in Basingstoke.....
Since I got back, I have been working closely with one of our newest clients, I have been on 3 training courses, along with balancing emails, phone calls, and personal responsibilities and that does not include the fun, social stuff!
It reminds me that with the festive season looming, that being busy is something that in previous years, I have just assumed I would need to manage, which has even resulted in me being stressed.
Of course that needn't have been the case. Had I given a little more thought to what really needed to be done, I could have got through many of the previous holidays with some sense of sanity still remaining! I believe we can sometimes to be our own worst enemy when it comes to the to-do list.
If you are anything like me, it just seems to grow and yet, sometimes, when I have something else that is far more important than anything on the list, I find when I go back, most of it was never that important anyway!!
I am just going through my to do list for the beginning of October, and it is really great to notice, that either someone else has got on with it, or it is no longer important - how liberating!!
For tips on how to minimise your to do list - give me a call now on 01252 783 524
In the meantime, I have a deadline to write our newest edition to our portfolio of courses - all about managing the Christmas Festivities, running on the 5th DEcember in Basingstoke.....
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Road Traffic Pricing
For those of you who have read some of my earlier blogs, my car is very important to me...and for those of you who are like minded, you will understand my ambivalent feelings towards the suggestions around Road Traffic Pricing.
I watched Dispatches on the television, where they investigated the hostility of the public to the various ways motorists are being targetted to raise funds, supposedly to improve public transport.
I have long had a problem with speed cameras on dual carriageways and motorways (which lets face it, tend to be reasonably straight and invariably pedestrian free), and I am stunned at how much we pay for fuel compared to other countries, and struggle with the whole proposals for additional charges, be it road traffic pricing or the charge per mile/timie being explored by insurance companies. Let me explain why.
During the 70's and 80's there was a trend of encouraging people to move to 'new towns' in rural areas, because of cheaper housing and to ease the population within inner cities. Then there was a whole move to encourage businesses into these rural areas by the lure of cheaper rents. Which then led to what we now see as out of town shopping centres and superstores, again encouraged by the cheaper sites.
Each of us began to flock to these areas (and lets be honest), driven by the savings we could make, as much as enjoying the experience we could get (modern, easy etc)
However, the infrastructure for these new towns, business and retail outlets, has never really developed at the same pace (lack of investment in the past, I guess) and it has resulted in the car becoming an essential part of living, working and shopping where we do.
It seems to me, that car drivers are being taxed in every way possible in order to supposedly pay for the improvements to the infrastructure.
I say supposedly, because the programme demonstrated that actually only a small percentage goes back into the transport system - interesting isn't it?
Even more interesting, and almost worryingly, is the fact that as there is such a backlash to the road traffic pricing, the Government has decided to 'encourage' local authorities to introduce their own versions of congestion charging or similar, in return for the funding they need for their infrastructure.
What this now means, is that each authority who introduces some sort of charging mechanism in their towns, will be just pacing the way for a national pricing scheme. This will then make it much easier for the Government to just 'adopt' a common strategy being employed up and down the country! Easy eh?
I have always known that money is the way Governments change our behaviour, and I guess that shows how fickle we really are.It's just hard to believe that 2007 we are still susceptible to being manipulated to do something, even when we are unhappy about it.
As someone who always seeks to understand another's point of view, I know that whilst road traffic pricing is one option - it is just that, one option.
What if we were to do nothing? Let traffic build up, allow us to sit in traffic jams, to become frustrated with the road system because guess what? We will suddenly find ourselves resolving our own problems of being caught up in traffic. We will begin to find different times to do our journeys, we will seek to use public transport more, we may even find ourselves being even more imaginative with the ways we lead our lives - who knows someone may even come up with a really good idea, something the British are fantastic at!
Do let me know your thoughts on this....what other ways could we manage congestion?
I watched Dispatches on the television, where they investigated the hostility of the public to the various ways motorists are being targetted to raise funds, supposedly to improve public transport.
I have long had a problem with speed cameras on dual carriageways and motorways (which lets face it, tend to be reasonably straight and invariably pedestrian free), and I am stunned at how much we pay for fuel compared to other countries, and struggle with the whole proposals for additional charges, be it road traffic pricing or the charge per mile/timie being explored by insurance companies. Let me explain why.
During the 70's and 80's there was a trend of encouraging people to move to 'new towns' in rural areas, because of cheaper housing and to ease the population within inner cities. Then there was a whole move to encourage businesses into these rural areas by the lure of cheaper rents. Which then led to what we now see as out of town shopping centres and superstores, again encouraged by the cheaper sites.
Each of us began to flock to these areas (and lets be honest), driven by the savings we could make, as much as enjoying the experience we could get (modern, easy etc)
However, the infrastructure for these new towns, business and retail outlets, has never really developed at the same pace (lack of investment in the past, I guess) and it has resulted in the car becoming an essential part of living, working and shopping where we do.
It seems to me, that car drivers are being taxed in every way possible in order to supposedly pay for the improvements to the infrastructure.
I say supposedly, because the programme demonstrated that actually only a small percentage goes back into the transport system - interesting isn't it?
Even more interesting, and almost worryingly, is the fact that as there is such a backlash to the road traffic pricing, the Government has decided to 'encourage' local authorities to introduce their own versions of congestion charging or similar, in return for the funding they need for their infrastructure.
What this now means, is that each authority who introduces some sort of charging mechanism in their towns, will be just pacing the way for a national pricing scheme. This will then make it much easier for the Government to just 'adopt' a common strategy being employed up and down the country! Easy eh?
I have always known that money is the way Governments change our behaviour, and I guess that shows how fickle we really are.It's just hard to believe that 2007 we are still susceptible to being manipulated to do something, even when we are unhappy about it.
As someone who always seeks to understand another's point of view, I know that whilst road traffic pricing is one option - it is just that, one option.
What if we were to do nothing? Let traffic build up, allow us to sit in traffic jams, to become frustrated with the road system because guess what? We will suddenly find ourselves resolving our own problems of being caught up in traffic. We will begin to find different times to do our journeys, we will seek to use public transport more, we may even find ourselves being even more imaginative with the ways we lead our lives - who knows someone may even come up with a really good idea, something the British are fantastic at!
Do let me know your thoughts on this....what other ways could we manage congestion?
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Business Breakfasts - Working on Business Solutions
Relish are really pleased to have been asked to work in partnership with the new breakfast business meeting alton4business in Alton.
The first event "Working on your Business, not in it - the Challenges of the Small Business" was a great success.
Nearly 20 people turned up and there was quite a buzz in the room. Once breakfast was over, the group was divided into small teams and were given some questions to answer and discuss, in particular what they could do to work more on their business.
Feedback so far has been very positive including "it really made me think", "it was very informative" and "I think you are on to a real winner with meetings like this and I will be recommending businesses to start to come along!"
The next one I will be hosting will be 24th October and will be on Business Planning for 2008! These events are a great way of supporting other businesses, whilst raising our profile in the business world.
Pause for Thought
For me, one of the great things about running events like this is that you always learn something new. I find no matter how many times you run an event, something new will always present itself!
So I am looking forward to the next event ...with Relish!
Friday, 28 September 2007
BMW and Nurburgring Race Track Experience!
AWESOME!!!
That is how I would describe my recent trip out to Germany, courtesy of Vine's BMW in Guildford!
There were about 50 of us (mostly men unsurprisingly) and we flew from Farnborough airport on a specially chartered plane and from the moment we arrived the hospitality was impressive - plenty of attention, drinks and food!
After a short flight to Koln airport we transferred to our hotel directly overlooking the Nurburgring and once we had settled into our rooms, we made our way to the bar.
The first evening was made up of presentations, a fantastic evening meal, and the opportunity to see another unveiling of the M3, after which, we went back to the bar to finish the evening! By this time, I had made a number of new friends (Ian, on the left above - was my co pilot in the car, Andrew, - a very funny man, Gary, next to Ian above - brilliant at keeping me organised, Steve and Sam - real whizzes on the facts & figures of the old and new M3's, Adrian - our US friend, and Dave and Colin - a couple of 'Likely Lads'! They all made my experience what it was - memorable.
I finally went to bed about 1pm local time, as we had to be up, breakfasted, and ready for action at 8am!
...and this is where the adventure really began.
We were split into teams with 2 people to each car (instructors drove the red cars). The track was divided up into sections so that we experienced different elements of driving such as driving through a slalom of cones, experiencing the ability of how the M3 can react in the event of emergency obstacles in the road (the most scary for me), chicane handling and competitive cornering, before ending off with race track experience!
The first thing we did as a team was the slalom of cones - which was a real challenge! We had to drive at speed through pairs of cones that had been set at different distances from each other, some of which really put the car through it's paces, including tight cornering. It was very challenging, and for me I was doing this whilst learning how to drive a left had car, and a BMW to boot! At one point, I managed to slide off the track onto the grass, and it took some moments to regain control! I have to say it was the most thrilling experience I have ever had - and was disappointed that just as I was getting the hang of it, we had to move on!
By the end of the day, we finally got to do the one thing all of us were really looking forward to doing - drive around the track at speed. This was not the full track, just about a mile and a half of it, and all the same it was fab! I was even more lucky as my co-driver had had to go off somewhere, so I got extra driving in, much to the other guys disgust!
It really was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life and one I would love to do again - thank you Vine's BMW!
Pause for Thought
I like to think about my experiences in terms of the lessons we can learn in life - and for me, this experience was no different.
You can see in one of the photos, that the weather was really poor - it rained buckets all day. As I mentioned, I lost control of the car on a bend and went sliding off onto the grass (my co-driver Ian seemed to think it was great - and was very level headed, telling me what to do). Whilst I believe that I didn't panic, it was a moment that made me think - I really had no idea how to correct the car! Fortunately, being a race track, and through the careful planning of the instructors, I was in no danger - however, back at home, it is another story...
For a long time, I have known that I have a tendency to drive too fast, and yet the experiences on the race track made me recognise my limitations - that if I lost control of a car I would not necessarily know what to do and if I did, would I react quickly enough? It's food for thought.
Interestingly, one of the guys (Andrew) on my team, runs a company that provides the university degree of driving tests for young people to encourage safer and more responsible driving. I was very impressed with what they are aiming to achieve - and believe that this maybe the way to go - check them out!
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