BLT: Stretchability – are you the best judge of how far you can stretch?

“If you’re not growing, you’re slowing”

1. Introductions and brain loosener

The OED 2016 Word of the Year was post-truth – what might the 2017 Word of the Year be? Suggestions from around the table included:

• BREXIT
• Trump
• Shift
• Optimism
• Uncertainty
• Shake up
• Article 50
• Navel gazing

So, it’s fair to say that BREXIT and Trump monopolised the thinking, as indeed they had been doing for most of 2016!

2. The Stretchability Challenge

The second part of the group discussion was about 2016 challenges undertaken, both personal and business, which had ‘stretched’ individuals, and how they had learnt from their successes/mistakes.

Personal stretches

• These revolved around Sporting endeavours – triathlons, long-distance cycling and walking.
• Importance of being pushed by a friend = encouraged to attempt longer distances
• Need to break long-distance challenges into short-term manageable goals = applies equally for business planning

Business stretches

• Working practises – change these to ensure not always chasing emails; e.g. automatic ‘Out of Office’ stating will only be answering emails ‘between noon – 1pm’ or ‘after 5pm’
• Self-development – undertake new CPD courses to increase marketability
• New initiatives – a new type of working/networking group was introduced by one member in 2016, initially to great success but this dwindled as the year went on until it was suspended in Sep-16. However, taking the lessons learned, this group is being re-introduced with important changes in Feb-17.
• New businesses – either setting up as self-employed to improve work/life balance or joining up with other individuals to form a new company represented considerable ‘business stretches’

“A business is like a car – it won’t run by itself….except downhill”

Newsworthy Corner

1. Mark Harris, Enterprise Doctor: Next Laptop Monday, Tue 7th Feb – location details to be forwarded upon request

(*) BLT is a free fortnightly networking group that meets from 7:15-8:45, every other Thursday at The George & Dragon, Marlow.

For more details, please leave me a message – new networkers are always welcome.