On several occasions in the past I have tried to advise someone, they had always told me their predicament, and the issues they had.
But for some strange reason they never accepted, or took on-board what I was saying.
Ok, I admit, I do not have any qualifications of any kind in Life Coaching, Mentoring, or anything similar. But I have seen, and been in many situations, adverse and extremely pleasant, to have the experience to see what is not right, and be able to advise and help someone.
And even to this day, some of those people who I have tried to advise are still making the same mistakes, and resentful of my words of wisdom, all the time thinking that they know best.
But time is moving on, and they fail to admit their errors, pretending that things are fine, yet all the while they know they are not.
Fortunately, someone did accept my help and inspirational words last week whilst I was at a training/seminar event with them.
They were insistent that they would not return for the second day. Thankfully I managed to get them to change their mind, and, yes, they returned on day 2, and were so pleased they had.
This of course just one instance of help, that was accepted for FREE, and it paid off for them in so many ways.
Of course, it must also be remembered, that a mentor or helper, also needs a helping hand/mentor.
Yours Helpfully
Mr Giraffe
Monday, 6 December 2010
Saturday, 4 December 2010
A Family Business
Is being part of a family business the right move?
In my opinion it can be good, but also it can be extremely difficult. I was part of a family business for many years, since leaving school in actual fact.
I done my apprenticeship in Graphic Reproduction London College of Printing, Back Hill (Farringdon). The first year was an integrated course combining all the departments within the industry and my own specialised subject.
After this I went onto LCP at the Elephant Castle to complete my City & Guilds in Graphic Repro'.
I did however leave my employment several times to do various other jobs, ran my own car mechanical business, was a mini-cab driver for about 2 years, done some lorry driving for a big Builders Merchant, and various other things. But, in the end always went back to print.
Things were never easy in the business, especially when we were all living in the same house as well, we would go to the office/factory together, work all day together, and then travel back home together.
Previous to the last 2 years Pre 2008, were perhaps the most stressful. Everything seemed to be on my head, I was continually 'put upon' to do more and more, even to the point I was being put on to drive sales. In my mind I had more than enough to contend with, I was doing all our IT, taking orders and talking to clients on the phone, printing, finishing, ordering supplies, organising work-flow, the lot. But I thought, ok, I'll go get some new clients also.
So, the mission started. I set out to find at least 1 high profile/celebrity client. Months I was trying for, until, one-day, I heard a certain, supposedly, celebrity speaking on LBC Radio 97. FM They claimed to reply to all emails personally. Hmm, I thought, heard that one before, but nothing to lose, so I emailed them, and yes, I got a response that very same day.
This was fab', through shear determination I had succeeded on the first part of my quest.
Eventually, we met in the City for lunch. I had kept it all quiet from everyone until the arrangements had been made to meet. Of course, all of a sudden everyone wanted to know me, but, Father & Brother thought, "well why shouldn't they want to meet me, it's nothing that great", ahem, so why didn't you do it??
Things went from strength to strength, meetings became more regular, invites to events became more, and yes, the orders started coming in. But this was still not enough as far as the other family members were concerned, what else could I do. Offers to re-brand the business were made, free marketing was also offered, but NO, they, didn't want to know, but still pressured ME to move the company forward, a very difficult thing to do when all offers and ideas are rejected. But the most annoying thing was, no one else came up with anything!!
I even built a website for the business, ok, nothing amazing, but still a website. I would stay late at night to research things, SEO etc etc, just to make it work, but even that was wrong, I was continually moaned at for staying late, but my thoughts were, out of hours, learn how to do it, and get it done, something is better than nothing in my eyes, we had nothing to lose by me spending those hours laboriously searching for info on the net, but everything to gain. And anyway, if 'they weren't happy with the website, then 'you' get on and sort it!!
So I decided, along with my new friend, to start another business, run it quietly, and feed the family business with lots of work. This was, in a way to prove that with some good branding, and a little marketing the business can move on.
Anyway, things didn't quite work out as planned. My eldest daughter collapsed, and was rushed into hospital, running a heart beat in excess of 290 bpm, yikes, serious. Then a few days later one of our Mac's went down. I got the blame, a row ensued and I was told to go, so I did, hence GiraffePress is born.
I built my first website, GiraffePress and it's still up and running, then some months ago, a very good friend of mine built GiraffeBanners, we will be re-building GiraffePress soon, so please do watch and keep a look out for the new site when it goes live.
My new friend & business partner, was a 50% partner/director in the business, and promised loads, loads of everything, marketing, promotion, clients, contacts, the lot.
It took nearly 6 months for them to brand Giraffe. Things didn't seem to be what they made them out to be, many failed promises.
Our partnership eventually fell part earlier this year, but since then, things have improved dramatically, orders are starting to flow in, my contacts are growing everyday, and am now looking to lease/buy some bigger kit to further enhance Giraffe.
So, although I suffered at the hands of my ex-partner, I have now restored the business over the last 8 months or so, and looking forward to taking it to greater heights.
And one last thing, thanks very much to all those fab people I have met on my journey, I will one day, pay you all back in anyway I can.
Kindest Regards
Mr Giraffe
In my opinion it can be good, but also it can be extremely difficult. I was part of a family business for many years, since leaving school in actual fact.
I done my apprenticeship in Graphic Reproduction London College of Printing, Back Hill (Farringdon). The first year was an integrated course combining all the departments within the industry and my own specialised subject.
After this I went onto LCP at the Elephant Castle to complete my City & Guilds in Graphic Repro'.
I did however leave my employment several times to do various other jobs, ran my own car mechanical business, was a mini-cab driver for about 2 years, done some lorry driving for a big Builders Merchant, and various other things. But, in the end always went back to print.
Things were never easy in the business, especially when we were all living in the same house as well, we would go to the office/factory together, work all day together, and then travel back home together.
Previous to the last 2 years Pre 2008, were perhaps the most stressful. Everything seemed to be on my head, I was continually 'put upon' to do more and more, even to the point I was being put on to drive sales. In my mind I had more than enough to contend with, I was doing all our IT, taking orders and talking to clients on the phone, printing, finishing, ordering supplies, organising work-flow, the lot. But I thought, ok, I'll go get some new clients also.
So, the mission started. I set out to find at least 1 high profile/celebrity client. Months I was trying for, until, one-day, I heard a certain, supposedly, celebrity speaking on LBC Radio 97. FM They claimed to reply to all emails personally. Hmm, I thought, heard that one before, but nothing to lose, so I emailed them, and yes, I got a response that very same day.
This was fab', through shear determination I had succeeded on the first part of my quest.
Eventually, we met in the City for lunch. I had kept it all quiet from everyone until the arrangements had been made to meet. Of course, all of a sudden everyone wanted to know me, but, Father & Brother thought, "well why shouldn't they want to meet me, it's nothing that great", ahem, so why didn't you do it??
Things went from strength to strength, meetings became more regular, invites to events became more, and yes, the orders started coming in. But this was still not enough as far as the other family members were concerned, what else could I do. Offers to re-brand the business were made, free marketing was also offered, but NO, they, didn't want to know, but still pressured ME to move the company forward, a very difficult thing to do when all offers and ideas are rejected. But the most annoying thing was, no one else came up with anything!!
I even built a website for the business, ok, nothing amazing, but still a website. I would stay late at night to research things, SEO etc etc, just to make it work, but even that was wrong, I was continually moaned at for staying late, but my thoughts were, out of hours, learn how to do it, and get it done, something is better than nothing in my eyes, we had nothing to lose by me spending those hours laboriously searching for info on the net, but everything to gain. And anyway, if 'they weren't happy with the website, then 'you' get on and sort it!!
So I decided, along with my new friend, to start another business, run it quietly, and feed the family business with lots of work. This was, in a way to prove that with some good branding, and a little marketing the business can move on.
Anyway, things didn't quite work out as planned. My eldest daughter collapsed, and was rushed into hospital, running a heart beat in excess of 290 bpm, yikes, serious. Then a few days later one of our Mac's went down. I got the blame, a row ensued and I was told to go, so I did, hence GiraffePress is born.
I built my first website, GiraffePress and it's still up and running, then some months ago, a very good friend of mine built GiraffeBanners, we will be re-building GiraffePress soon, so please do watch and keep a look out for the new site when it goes live.
My new friend & business partner, was a 50% partner/director in the business, and promised loads, loads of everything, marketing, promotion, clients, contacts, the lot.
It took nearly 6 months for them to brand Giraffe. Things didn't seem to be what they made them out to be, many failed promises.
Our partnership eventually fell part earlier this year, but since then, things have improved dramatically, orders are starting to flow in, my contacts are growing everyday, and am now looking to lease/buy some bigger kit to further enhance Giraffe.
So, although I suffered at the hands of my ex-partner, I have now restored the business over the last 8 months or so, and looking forward to taking it to greater heights.
And one last thing, thanks very much to all those fab people I have met on my journey, I will one day, pay you all back in anyway I can.
Kindest Regards
Mr Giraffe
My Week
As much as the week just gone has been a struggle, due to the weather conditions, it was fantastic.
Monday was a day of preparing for the Business Start Up Show at Earls Court, and orders coming in. One such order was for one of my best Clients, Pants to Poverty. They ordered 7 A1 posters, for delivery on Wednesday, no problem, or so I thought. But then the snow came down on Tuesday, whilst myself and my smashing daughter were exhibiting at the show.
But as always, GiraffePress/Banners, still honored our promises. Both my daughter and I went for the after-show drinks, with Miss Fit Uk and her wonderful partner, Simon. And just to say, what a fabulous talk she, Miss Fit, gave on the Tuesday.
My daughter then left Earls Court and made her way home to Croydon, a long trek it was to0, as there were NO buses running, trains were extremely minimal, but, she made it.
The next day, my fabulous daughter trimmed the posters, and made her way back to Earls Court, to drop off some fresh clothes for me, as we thought it would be better for me to stay up at Earls Court, so that I could be there on the Wednesday to 'man' our stand. She then went off to Whitechapel to deliver the posters, then back to Crystal Palace, and then, yes, back to Earls Court. What great determination from a young girl, 16yrs old.
Both days at the show were fab', but Wednesday was a lot better, more enquiries and interest, and pretty much confirmed orders. Of course though, the problem now came of getting all of our equipment home.
Luckily Paul from All About Croydon turned up, and helped us back to Croydon, even offered to store our kit until the roads were clear enough for me to drive and collect our show kit.
Thursday and Friday was a seminar/course run by Paul Green Publicity Heaven. A fab' 2 days of PR and marketing advice, invaluable. I learn't masses, and combined with previous knowledge I have attained over the last 2yrs or so, well, put the 2 together and I can really see Giraffe setting new success targets.
Also met some great people on the course, all willing to help each other to further improve our business's.
Now the weekend is here, it's time to get that information into my excel spreadsheet, and of course start the follow-up emails and phone calls.
Hope you all enjoy your weekends, and look forward to speaking to you all soon.
Mr Giraffe
Monday was a day of preparing for the Business Start Up Show at Earls Court, and orders coming in. One such order was for one of my best Clients, Pants to Poverty. They ordered 7 A1 posters, for delivery on Wednesday, no problem, or so I thought. But then the snow came down on Tuesday, whilst myself and my smashing daughter were exhibiting at the show.
But as always, GiraffePress/Banners, still honored our promises. Both my daughter and I went for the after-show drinks, with Miss Fit Uk and her wonderful partner, Simon. And just to say, what a fabulous talk she, Miss Fit, gave on the Tuesday.
My daughter then left Earls Court and made her way home to Croydon, a long trek it was to0, as there were NO buses running, trains were extremely minimal, but, she made it.
The next day, my fabulous daughter trimmed the posters, and made her way back to Earls Court, to drop off some fresh clothes for me, as we thought it would be better for me to stay up at Earls Court, so that I could be there on the Wednesday to 'man' our stand. She then went off to Whitechapel to deliver the posters, then back to Crystal Palace, and then, yes, back to Earls Court. What great determination from a young girl, 16yrs old.
Both days at the show were fab', but Wednesday was a lot better, more enquiries and interest, and pretty much confirmed orders. Of course though, the problem now came of getting all of our equipment home.
Luckily Paul from All About Croydon turned up, and helped us back to Croydon, even offered to store our kit until the roads were clear enough for me to drive and collect our show kit.
Thursday and Friday was a seminar/course run by Paul Green Publicity Heaven. A fab' 2 days of PR and marketing advice, invaluable. I learn't masses, and combined with previous knowledge I have attained over the last 2yrs or so, well, put the 2 together and I can really see Giraffe setting new success targets.
Also met some great people on the course, all willing to help each other to further improve our business's.
Now the weekend is here, it's time to get that information into my excel spreadsheet, and of course start the follow-up emails and phone calls.
Hope you all enjoy your weekends, and look forward to speaking to you all soon.
Mr Giraffe
Thursday, 25 November 2010
The Sockcreatures
It was a great pleasure to meet John Lakey of Odd Sock Creatures at @The_Pitch last week.
It was a fantastic day, had by all I'm sure. I made some great contacts, contacts with such great passion about what they are doing and full of inspiration.
Quite amazing really, that we often pay for mentoring, yet, when a great host of entrepreneurs get together, pitching their ideas and guests, how much advice we can all share to the benefit of each other.
I wonder, perhaps, if it's time for 'group mentoring' a place where we can all meet and exchange ideas, without being a networking event as such. As it appears that when such people are together, in an environment like last week, everyone seems so much more relaxed and willing to network without even realising it.
Anyway back to sockcreatures. John Lakey, among others who I met, is a truly fantastic guy. Together with his wife, they design, produce and distribute the most amazing product, bringing together the whole family. Real interaction between children and adults/parents.
A great way to spend some quality time together as a family, instead of watching endless hours of TV. And at the end, your child will have a wonderful creature to be proud of, love and cherish for years to come, knowing that they have made their own little pet creature.
John, as the great man he is, with his wife, put together a wonderful sockiraffe, hope he doesn't mind me calling it that :-) and posted it to me. I received my sockiraffe this morning, and brought a real smile to face, yep that's right, a smile to my face, cheered my day up no end.
Thanks to you John & your Wife, for the time and effort you have put in to my sockiraffe, it is very much appreciated and will be placed in my office in a prime position.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Testimonials
GiraffeBanners & GiraffePress, are always striving to improve our service. Our aim is to provide you with the best possible service available at all times.
We will keep you updated on the progress of your job/product, and when I say I will deliver on a certain, I will deliver. You can contact me at any time, day and night, unlike 'online' printers.
With online ordering once you have 'uploaded' your artwork, that's it, your order is now out of your hands, if there are any issues with your file, it's down to you! If I find any issues with your file, that you have emailed to me, I will inform you, so that you can be assured of quality at all times.
Just to emphasise this, I thought I would post some testimonials from work recently done.
1. "Thank you so much for producing my banner on such short notice and for bringing it to the venue last night. I am really impressed both with the print quality and the easy assembly and carrying case (not to mention your excellent customer service)! I will recommend you to anyone I may hear of with printing needs.
It was also really nice to meet you".
Melissa Stewart, Photographer
www.melissastewartphoto.com
2. "It was good to meet you last night – thanks so much for the banner – I am really pleased with it".
3. "Giraffe Banners was recommended to me by Network Nouveau. The price, service and quality was amazing. Jason was very helpful even though I changed the design three times".
Graeme Batsman - DataDefender
4. "I fully recommend Jason he is an extremely reliable man and with Banner prices from £39.95 and same day delivery few other firms can compete with that level service".
Howard Tingley - Network Nouveau
So if you have any requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me, even if it's just advice you are looking for.
Thank you for reading this, and I look forward to reading any comments you may have.
We will keep you updated on the progress of your job/product, and when I say I will deliver on a certain, I will deliver. You can contact me at any time, day and night, unlike 'online' printers.
With online ordering once you have 'uploaded' your artwork, that's it, your order is now out of your hands, if there are any issues with your file, it's down to you! If I find any issues with your file, that you have emailed to me, I will inform you, so that you can be assured of quality at all times.
Just to emphasise this, I thought I would post some testimonials from work recently done.
1. "Thank you so much for producing my banner on such short notice and for bringing it to the venue last night. I am really impressed both with the print quality and the easy assembly and carrying case (not to mention your excellent customer service)! I will recommend you to anyone I may hear of with printing needs.
It was also really nice to meet you".
Melissa Stewart, Photographer
www.melissastewartphoto.com
2. "It was good to meet you last night – thanks so much for the banner – I am really pleased with it".
3. "Giraffe Banners was recommended to me by Network Nouveau. The price, service and quality was amazing. Jason was very helpful even though I changed the design three times".
Graeme Batsman - DataDefender
4. "I fully recommend Jason he is an extremely reliable man and with Banner prices from £39.95 and same day delivery few other firms can compete with that level service".
Howard Tingley - Network Nouveau
So if you have any requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me, even if it's just advice you are looking for.
Thank you for reading this, and I look forward to reading any comments you may have.
Changing Graphics
Giraffepress/Banners will soon be implementing a system in our Roll-Up Banners, that allows YOU the user to change YOUR graphic easily.
For an additional £10.00 you will be able to change your graphic very simply, time & time again.
Although you will pay the additional charge, it will, in the long run be far cheaper for you.
As I am sure you are aware, previously you would have had to have taken your Roll-Up Banner back to where you purchased it, or posted it back to your supplier, then have waited until it was ready, for either collection or to be posted back to you, costing time and money, or even just thrown it away and ordered a complete new Roll-Up Banner.
I am sure will agree this is a far cheaper and convenient way of changing your graphic.
For an additional £10.00 you will be able to change your graphic very simply, time & time again.
Although you will pay the additional charge, it will, in the long run be far cheaper for you.
As I am sure you are aware, previously you would have had to have taken your Roll-Up Banner back to where you purchased it, or posted it back to your supplier, then have waited until it was ready, for either collection or to be posted back to you, costing time and money, or even just thrown it away and ordered a complete new Roll-Up Banner.
I am sure will agree this is a far cheaper and convenient way of changing your graphic.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Banners +
At GiraffeBanners we produce an array of Banners, in size and style.
Roll-Up/Tension Banners are a great way to advertise your business, it's products, or, special offers and promotions that you maybe offering to your clients. Whether it be through exhibitions & events, or on the counter of your retail shop/outlet.
For the retail counter or home visiting business we have the perfect banner, the desktop banner. It comes in 2 sizes, A4 & A3, and comes in a box for convenient storage.
We will be adding to the range of desktop banners shortly, with our mini 'X'-Banner (A4). We anticipate that it will retail for around £10 + P&P.
Tension Banners are probably the most cost effective banner available, being easy to transport, easy to erect, just minutes in fact, and your graphic can easily be changed by you, so there is no need to re-order a whole new system.
So why not visit GiraffeBanners now, or alternatively ring Jason on 07850 757605.
We look forward to being of service to you.
Roll-Up/Tension Banners are a great way to advertise your business, it's products, or, special offers and promotions that you maybe offering to your clients. Whether it be through exhibitions & events, or on the counter of your retail shop/outlet.
For the retail counter or home visiting business we have the perfect banner, the desktop banner. It comes in 2 sizes, A4 & A3, and comes in a box for convenient storage.
We will be adding to the range of desktop banners shortly, with our mini 'X'-Banner (A4). We anticipate that it will retail for around £10 + P&P.
Tension Banners are probably the most cost effective banner available, being easy to transport, easy to erect, just minutes in fact, and your graphic can easily be changed by you, so there is no need to re-order a whole new system.
So why not visit GiraffeBanners now, or alternatively ring Jason on 07850 757605.
We look forward to being of service to you.
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