Brave Starts

What factors predict a fulfilling career? I don't know anyone who joins us who want to do a job they won't find fulfilling. I have a good idea, but we like to bring experts to come in and talk to members about their research. Laura Walker is an author, experienced HR professional and PhD researcher looking at this topic. Laura - you have more than 20 sign ups, so I'm looking forward to an interesting session with no doubt lots of discussion! https://lnkd.in/ehCm4-c6

In the future, more of us will work on a portfolio/freelance basis than there will be people working in full time jobs. When people come to our workshops looking for help thinking through their next career steps, I often remind them it's not likely to be one role but several. Tomorrow, the CEO from The Portfolio Collective, Ben Legg - is coming to help members understand how to make their portfolio careers more successful. https://lnkd.in/eBY7BCni #portfoliocareers #fractionalworking #selfemployed #freelance #careerchange

You're too old. We won't serve you. This is an 'old' one so you've probably seen it before, but it's such a good reminder of how ridiculous it is to screen out applicants over 40/50/60 - whatever age. Thanks Deborah Greenfield for the reminder: https://lnkd.in/ev4UjZim

Purpose and Impact Hub - Jan 9th. This month, we're delighted to showcase 6 charities who've passed the high bar of receiving a grant from The Fore These charities will join us this Thursday to talk about their 'why' (the mission they are on) and the challenges they face. Our goal is to raise awareness of their work but to try and source amazing people from our members who may be interested in supporting these charities to achieve their missions. What could be a better way to do something that feels more purposeful than supporting charities that don't have the funds or size to reach most of us, but who are doing the best work? Meet Catherine Smith - CEO from Community Tech aid Andrew Anastasiou - Head of Partnerships and Fundraising, Goods for Good Matilda Lawrence-Jubb - Co Director and founder, Split Banana Jodie Le Marrec - CEO, Embraceability Bob Anderson - Programme Director, Mobile Education Partnerships Kate Darby - CEO, Dementia Disco Join us to learn more this Thursday lunchtime: https://lnkd.in/ejux9GEz #purposeandimpact #givingback #philanthropy #volunteering #charitysector

The brilliant Emma Jacobs (if you don’t follow her do - she’s an expert writer in mid life careers) has smashed it with this wonderful article reminding us of the great things yet to come to those considering and desiring more meaning and connection from work as they age. #midlife #careerchange

Go Paul!! To any of our members wondering if their own, sole voice can make a difference, this is proof that yes you can. Paul Shuttleworth has been banging this drum and look - just look at what he’s achieved: #ageism #powerofone #everydayhero https://lnkd.in/eBe75FQa

An example of how little we know and how much we still have to understand. December for the last 3 years has been our second slowest month: in August we close completely and December only runs workshops for half the month. In contrast to previous years, this December, we’ve had over 50 people join - our most successful month ever. The most likely reason is our price to join rises tomorrow (to £89 which includes our annual membership fee of £30) and our current members have been referring and recommending us to friends and colleagues. That in itself speaks volumes - as a non profit, word of mouth means everything. We don’t take our support for granted. As we head into 2025, we hope to live up to expectations. We will continue to deliver on our mission to further build the evidence base for what best supports people to make the work they do after 50 the best they’ve ever done. We’ll share what we learn and we’re honest about the challenges. Happy 2025 everyone.

What an amazing bunch and a fantastic year. In order (left to right) Harris Karim - the best co founder anyone could ask for. 4 years in and hes built everything. Databases, email systems, websites, event platforms. This man is a genius. Nicholas Green - product manager who never stops asking questions. His attention to detail knows no limits Jo Keddy - career coach, ex Finance director. Credible, super smart and brilliant workshop host. Jason L. - our legal department! Not only does he know intellectual property law inside out, he knows start up mentality. Alison Barrett - idea generator and ambassador Michael Easton, FCIPD - HR advisor and expert Patrick Barrow - head of policy and man with an ability to write like no other. Leader of our men’s focus groups. Jeremy Michaels - strategy developer, commercial director and man on a mission! Anyone wanting to build commercial engagement needs a Jeremy on their team. Lisa Kim MacLaren (she/her) - facilitator extraordinaire, expert thinker and recruitment advisor Graham Heddle - walking brain, AI master and continuous question asker and learner. If an idea passes the Graham test, it’s a good one! Symon H. - LinkedIn master, recruitment expert and receiver of 5/5 workshop scores. All around cheerleader. Anna Streule - best editor anyone could ask for. 64% newsletter engagement rate says it all. Our minister of fun! Katherine Brown - pivot tables, amalgamater of data and UX idea generator! Amazing supporter and time giver. Lisa Tyler FRSA💡 fabulous career coach and brilliant workshop leader. Feedback scores through the roof. Rebecca Mercer newest volunteer, career coach team and ambassador Jenny Rampling member turned ambassador - the ultimate customer market research advisor helping us shape our offer. People who couldn’t come: Marcus Lamont FCIDP - workshop leader and human so committed to the cause he donates 2x days a week. Now friend and mentor. Katie Pope - career coach with niche of being a recruitment expert. Leader of LinkedIn masterclasses and interview workshops. Members love her. Nikki Thompson - our Head of operations, chief smiling team member (along with Anna) whose productivity rate makes AI look slow. David Cook - Who generously gives time to members applying for roles who want help crafting and shaping their application and CV. What this man does for people and the feedback he gets is lovely to hear. We don’t work for money - the thing that makes what we do amazing is people like this who give their time and energy to a cause they are passionate about. If you ask me why I’m smiling it’s because you can’t pay for colleagues like this. Happy Christmas everyone xxx 🎄🎄🎄

Sustainability is the area most commonly cited by members as an area they want to explore for a career change. On Monday we have a double whammy. Thanks to Lucy Burton, we have Dr Karen Cripps coming to talk to members about how they can build their own skill sets within their current jobs to orientate them more towards building and crafting their sustainability profiles. After we have Judy Govindsamy from CARBON3 who are activity recruiting coming to talk to these members about opportunities at their fast growing scale up.

Thank you Symon H. for your huge amount of volunteering this week. No less than 4 workshops in less than two weeks to meet our waitlist demand. We don't do webinars - we do in depth, small group workshops so people can ask questions and get value. Our member resources area means you can get on with content and start making changes today. From Jan 1st, our prices go up to £89 (yes for the whole year and yes, we are not commercial. We are non profit). #linkedinworkshops #masterclass