The Big March

Readers may be surprised to learn that I marched on Saturday along with the 400,000 others opposed to many Givernment policies. Is this what you expect from a respectable business mentor, accompanied by an equally (or even more respectable) psychotherapist? Should you know people who express political views? Why not?
The march was full of PLUs (People Like Us to the uninitiated). Yes, there were thousands of union members and public sector workers. Yes, there were also thousands of management, self-employed, professionals too. The changes being wrought on polity in this country will affect everybody except perhaps those most insulated by wealth from real life. Marching may or may not stimulate re-consideration of policies and may or may not have any effect at all on those in power; but it offers the individual a form of expression not otherwise open to us. We the voters have one opportunity every few years to express our support for one individual or another. I respect this right but between elections, how else may we voice concerns, even about our professional lives or the wider world? Some [but few] have access to the media. Most do not. Blogging [like this]; tweeting; writing to the newspapers; and marching are all that most can aspire to. Is this appropriate for concerns about the economy, on which our businesses depend? Absolutely. Next time, why not join me?

Localisation

Just back froom rural Italy where parallels with the economy of Sussex are striking. Lots of small businesses, offering personal service to local population. Local foods; relatively little multi-national dominance. Happier people! What are the downsides? Only seasonal fruit and veg; less variety. Who cares?

A good mentoring week

New clients this week with new issues. Lovely! And already made a difference in a couple of cases. The outside view of an organisation or problem can show glaringly what facing it daily does not. You can get too close to things and a mentor is like a mirror held up to the situation which immediately shows what is not looking right. Hope I can do this for lots of others – its mutually rewarding regardless of whether commercial or pro bono.