It's not over yet but Boro 1 up at the Etihad against Man City. Nothing else to say, may update when it's over
2-0 best team won, bloomin' marvellous
Saturday, 24 January 2015
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Je Suis Charlie
Obviously, the most important news was the horrific terrorist attacks in France. I'm impressed by the response of people to come together and refuse to give in to terrorists. The biggest worries for me are the threats of dividing people and the potential for a big crack down on civil liberties, more so than the terrorist threats.
The "Muslim" terrorists are nothing but a bunch of fascists and nothing to do with Islam in the same way that Britain First are a bunch of fascists and nothing to do with Christianity. They are two sides of the same coin who wish for a society of hatred and division. We need to counter them with a society of love, respect and unity - but I do accept hatred of fascism in all of its forms as legitimate.
The first week back at work is over and what a week it was.
As a micro-business with 3 staff including myself it's a big miss when someone is off. Holidays are bad enough but are planned for, but unexpected sickness throws things into chaos. A return to work on Monday saw the message from the legend that is young Calvi contact me saying he wouldn't be in as he was ill and that extended to the full week.
Peter's not one for going off sick willy-nilly so he's obviously unwell and I hope he gets well soon, especially as he says he won't be able to stand any more daytime TV!
It has, therefore, been a little hectic. We aim to grow a lot this year which means I need to spend a lot more time, smartly, on marketing and I have detailed plans in place over the next quarter on how to achieve this. But they do take up time and a man down this week has made that rather difficult.
Despite those difficulties it's been a great week, new contract won subject to signature, got to know some other local business people much better including Yasir from AM Electrical who won our free website on Tadvent Xmas Day.
Yasir arranged for us to meet in The Olde Young Tea House https://www.facebook.com/oldeyoungteahouse?fref=nf, great place for a cuppa and a bite to eat in Middlesbrough and genuinely local, give it a try.
We've also had a bit of great publicity. I'm a great believer that youth unemployment is ridiculously high and those of us in business have a duty to provide opportunities for local young people. This has been picked up in the press and I'm happy to be publicly espousing the view that small businesses can use the apprentice system to provide those opportunities. It's a worry that apprenticeship places in the region have plummeted over the last year.
If you'd like to read the article it's here along with a pic of our apprentice, Benjamin:
The "Muslim" terrorists are nothing but a bunch of fascists and nothing to do with Islam in the same way that Britain First are a bunch of fascists and nothing to do with Christianity. They are two sides of the same coin who wish for a society of hatred and division. We need to counter them with a society of love, respect and unity - but I do accept hatred of fascism in all of its forms as legitimate.
The first week back at work is over and what a week it was.
As a micro-business with 3 staff including myself it's a big miss when someone is off. Holidays are bad enough but are planned for, but unexpected sickness throws things into chaos. A return to work on Monday saw the message from the legend that is young Calvi contact me saying he wouldn't be in as he was ill and that extended to the full week.
Peter's not one for going off sick willy-nilly so he's obviously unwell and I hope he gets well soon, especially as he says he won't be able to stand any more daytime TV!
It has, therefore, been a little hectic. We aim to grow a lot this year which means I need to spend a lot more time, smartly, on marketing and I have detailed plans in place over the next quarter on how to achieve this. But they do take up time and a man down this week has made that rather difficult.
Despite those difficulties it's been a great week, new contract won subject to signature, got to know some other local business people much better including Yasir from AM Electrical who won our free website on Tadvent Xmas Day.
Yasir arranged for us to meet in The Olde Young Tea House https://www.facebook.com/oldeyoungteahouse?fref=nf, great place for a cuppa and a bite to eat in Middlesbrough and genuinely local, give it a try.
We've also had a bit of great publicity. I'm a great believer that youth unemployment is ridiculously high and those of us in business have a duty to provide opportunities for local young people. This has been picked up in the press and I'm happy to be publicly espousing the view that small businesses can use the apprentice system to provide those opportunities. It's a worry that apprenticeship places in the region have plummeted over the last year.
If you'd like to read the article it's here along with a pic of our apprentice, Benjamin:
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Happy New Year!!
It's a new start, what's gone is gone and an ideal time to put the past behind you and look to the future.
Having said that, 2014 was a good year. For my business 2013 had been a year of chucking a bit of money at it and planning to grow the following year with a budget for a significant loss (for a micro-business) as a result. The plans were spot on for 2013 with the budgeted deficit being within a few hundred quid of target and financed by not paying myself. So what of the planned growth and profit for 2014.
Well we doubled turnover and made a small profit whilst taking on staff and paying myself. Not a bad year and I've paid me back some of the money the business owes me as well.
The plan for 2015 - another doubling of turnover, growing the team and increasing profits. Nowt if not ambitious me!! This means consciously planning more time on the business and marketing, better time management and focused and effective use of time when doing technical work for me. We've also had a re-brand, with a new website and printed materials to follow shortly.
Personally there's been lots of changes as Matt left home for Uni. Great to have him back here over the festive season and it has been a big change as he is such an important part of my life. It took a little time to adjust but it's great to have more time again with Jane doing stuff we want to do. It's almost like starting out again which is fun and nice!
Other important events of 2014 saw me getting my health in line, biting the bullet and getting diagnosed as diabetic - family history almost makes this inevitable and symptoms had been there for a while. So a lot of lifestyle changes, eating healthily, a bit more exercise and a lot less drinking. I feel much healthier as a result so it's a very positive thing. I get very focused when I decide to or need to do something (like a lifestyle change) but can be very lazy and not make changes unless I really decide to - so the diagnosis has been a big positive experience as I have changed.
More personal changes planned for 2015. I have done a lot of reading, personal development work, reflection, etc during the last year and changed a great deal as a result. So I and my company will become more involved in some local community projects including being greatly involved in 2 yet to be set up CICs. Hopefully I'll also be a bit less grumpy but I will also be removing a number of negative people and situations from my life - so if I unfriend you on Facebook or stop following you on Twitter you know why!!
Generally positivity, meticulous organisation, belief, hard-work, sharing success, helping others, making the world a better place and enjoying myself at work and play are the plans for the year. I wish you, your loved ones and friends a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015.
And Up The Boro!!
Having said that, 2014 was a good year. For my business 2013 had been a year of chucking a bit of money at it and planning to grow the following year with a budget for a significant loss (for a micro-business) as a result. The plans were spot on for 2013 with the budgeted deficit being within a few hundred quid of target and financed by not paying myself. So what of the planned growth and profit for 2014.
Well we doubled turnover and made a small profit whilst taking on staff and paying myself. Not a bad year and I've paid me back some of the money the business owes me as well.
The plan for 2015 - another doubling of turnover, growing the team and increasing profits. Nowt if not ambitious me!! This means consciously planning more time on the business and marketing, better time management and focused and effective use of time when doing technical work for me. We've also had a re-brand, with a new website and printed materials to follow shortly.
Personally there's been lots of changes as Matt left home for Uni. Great to have him back here over the festive season and it has been a big change as he is such an important part of my life. It took a little time to adjust but it's great to have more time again with Jane doing stuff we want to do. It's almost like starting out again which is fun and nice!
Other important events of 2014 saw me getting my health in line, biting the bullet and getting diagnosed as diabetic - family history almost makes this inevitable and symptoms had been there for a while. So a lot of lifestyle changes, eating healthily, a bit more exercise and a lot less drinking. I feel much healthier as a result so it's a very positive thing. I get very focused when I decide to or need to do something (like a lifestyle change) but can be very lazy and not make changes unless I really decide to - so the diagnosis has been a big positive experience as I have changed.
More personal changes planned for 2015. I have done a lot of reading, personal development work, reflection, etc during the last year and changed a great deal as a result. So I and my company will become more involved in some local community projects including being greatly involved in 2 yet to be set up CICs. Hopefully I'll also be a bit less grumpy but I will also be removing a number of negative people and situations from my life - so if I unfriend you on Facebook or stop following you on Twitter you know why!!
Generally positivity, meticulous organisation, belief, hard-work, sharing success, helping others, making the world a better place and enjoying myself at work and play are the plans for the year. I wish you, your loved ones and friends a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015.
And Up The Boro!!
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