My theme for February is ‘a fresh start’ for several reasons – we may be six weeks into the New Year but, as I hope you’re aware, my website has just recently gone live and I’ve declared myself officially ‘launched’ for business. And, despite some terrible weather and this third lockdown in England being far and away the worst, I am still positive about the future and particularly about the future of business. It’s all about having the right mindset, as the fabulous business coach Lindsey Burden will tell you.
What’s more, it’s nearly the end of winter, which I reckon ends on 28 February – and this weekend it’s Valentine’s Day. Even if you’re single, there are – I hope – lots of people in your life who you love and Sunday is a day to demonstrate that with cards, flowers, gifts, breakfast in bed and general appreciation. Of course, we should be appreciating our loved ones (partners, parents, offspring, lifelong friends) every day of the year – but there’s nothing like the commercial imperative of an alluring display as you enter a local supermarket or while browsing online shopping websites to prompt you to show that you care.
Plus, breaking news, it’s now still light at 5pm and for the first time this year I went for a run at the end of the working day rather than the beginning and I started and finished in the light (admittedly, I only run for 30 minutes at a time). So, there’s plenty to be positive about.
I was asked at a recent virtual networking event what my business and personal goals are for 2021 and they’re these:
In the business I’m looking for growth, which isn’t hard from a more or less standing start last October. But I have particular growth goals in mind, which I’m working diligently towards.
On a personal level, I’d love to make it to the end of the academic year unscathed any more than we already have been by the pandemic, lockdowns and my 16-year-old having her GCSEs cancelled and my 18-year-old having her A’ Levels cancelled. Even with the threat of ‘mini’ exams still hanging over us, let’s just say motivation can be low at times. Thank god it’s Half Term next week. For me, I’d like to run a half marathon distance again before the end of the year, probably in the autumn whether actual races can go ahead or whether I run alone.
Media-wise, I was fascinated to read this story recently on the Press Gazette website about magazines launching membership programmes to build on the growing subscription numbers many have seen during the coronavirus pandemic. As a former magazine editor, I’m a big fan of print and the community a magazine or newspaper creates by being in regular contact with its readers. Anything publishers can do to build communities and to stay in print while doing so is great news.
There have been some other fascinating developments in the world of PR and branding. A contact pointed me to this story by the Guardian about Labour winning back disillusioned voters by making “use of the [union] flag, veterans [and] dressing smartly”. So, is Keir Starmer a fresh start for the Labour Party? And does the party have more than a strategy to simply look like the Tories to win power next time?
If you’d like to work with me on a project that is slightly easier than relaunching the Labour Party, do get in touch. You can book in a call with me via my Calendly widget on my website. I’d love to connect.
Lucy Rouse PR Blog 