Episode 1
Despite starting the new year with another illness just 2 weeks after the last one and feeling really grotty I’m super positive about the year ahead. Hopeful, even. [that was my word for the year in that Merriam-Webster Bluesky post that was doing the rounds at New Year].
The wider world is on fire, and I can’t do much about that, but I am finding solace in my tiny corner having many things to be excited about.
Work (see below) is going really well, new work is lining up, the house renovations wile slow are progressing with more pace now we’re past Christmas and there are signs of new life already starting in the garden.
Client work
I’ve got two bits of work with Social Care Wales, more on the specifics of those soon. I need to write a few posts for the client to publish and then I can share more details.
Both teams are motoring with research this month. Hard work before Christmas to get people on the books but we did it and we hit the ground running.
I’m within touching distance of starting with a new client late next week. Lots of calls and emails to get the final hurdle sorted. I’m ridiculously excited about this as it’s an issue very close to my heart. I should be able to share more on this in the next few weeks.
Running the business
Managing cash flow as a new business is full of fun and challenges. Seeing the bills land for all the digital tools we use has given me a new sense of empathy for all those finance folk in companies really pushing on teams to consolidate and reduce the number of tools in use. It used to make me really annoyed and now I get it.
The less good news is that we seem to have been ghosted by a potential client that we spent a lot of time and energy with and were at the verge of signing with. It happens, but it’s super frustrating for small companies trying to predict cash flow and teaming.
My plea would be to just let people know you’re not proceeding and why. I can live with that, the silence is difficult.
Had a great chat with someone at another company about G-Cloud 15 and the changes it’s bringing. Not good changes, very SME un-friendly. We’re moving backwards at 100 miles an hour again. I’m probably not going to apply for this intake of G-Cloud but I have a much clearer understanding of the mountain of work ahead to do so. And I have some other routes to use to win work in the meantime.
Shout out to the bigger (than me) companies who are willing to work with and lift up the smaller companies. You are absolute heroes. Thank you.
The Future
I had a big, grown up chat with the team yesterday about the future. Everyone seems well up for it and there will be some super exciting news to come later this year!
I cannot thank Emily Webber enough for introducing me to this incredible group of women 5 years ago. I can’t imagine working with anyone else other than them.
The House
The builders are back and moving along with finishing up the kitchen and starting demolition in the room that is going to be our new bathroom of dreams.
The new stairs should be going into production next week. They are being made by Matt Sanderson of Sanderson Sculpture, based just over the border from us. A real work of art.
Our new bathroom sink arrived from Smith and Goat yesterday. It’s a stunner!
We’re still a good few months out of it being at a point we can move back in though and it’s really tough living in not-your-own-home. Realising a lot more about myself and my neurodivergence as a result of all this. Lack of routine, structure and control over my life and environment is TRICKY.
The book
We had some really positive meetings before Christmas with candidates, local councillors and think tanks. And more in the diary for this month.
We’re in the midst of planning new content to be published on the website, along side the book looking in more depth at things like: shifting from delivering outputs to delivering outcomes; AI for leaders in Wales; what it means to move from funding projects to funding teams and more.
We’re also being approached to speak at various events in the coming months as well as looking for more opportunities to engage with senior leaders and politicians before the elections in May.