Grapevine’s Post

There's little to beat real-life, face to face, uncontrived, informal conversation...when it comes to building business and trust. When so much of the working world has succumbed to the digital environment and the new 'norms' of online social... it's particularly joyful when you engage in a bit of old fashioned conversation that leads to something more. Which is exactly what happened to us last week. Here's how... We spend two days per week in a delightful, tucked away co-working space in the centre of Pershore, Worcestershire...(shout out for https://lnkd.in/e9J5AmqC). And last Thursday, a new face appeared. During lunch, there was that unavoidable five minutes of polite conversation as we waited for access to the microwave and sink of the small, but perfectly formed shared kitchen. Quick back story...we hate formal networking and would rather hide away in our offices than be expected to do elevator pitches in a roomful of hopefuls. However, in a relaxed environment, with no-expectation, we become our normal selves...happy to chat. So after a typical 5-minute "what does your business do?" we spotted a shared passion, a shared market and this led to a generously shared contact. We exchanged emails with that contact the same afternoon and their response expressed views that seemed so aligned with our own that we can't wait to speak to them. It may not come to a direct piece of business and it may not happen this week, this month, or even this year. But normal human relationships are rarely instantly gratifying. They hold promise and the good ones can build slowly and make you feel better than you do without them. We feel good about the prospects for this one. In a world where AI is beginning to transform our sense of reality about what people say and do or who they really are, perhaps returning to old fashioned in person conversations will be the only way to build trust. Which works for us. Because 100% of our business comes from personal connection and word of mouth. And, for the record, here's the post we shared with them. to our views shared in a recent post on separation of waste from recycling (https://lnkd.in/egWihYMJ)

There's a magical quality to sharing a meal with others that strengthens connections in a way that's hard to replicate. There is something ingrained in our humanity that recognizes the power of breaking bread together, whether it's hosting a dinner or enjoying a meal at a restaurant. In our events in DC, we always make sure to include food and drinks. We feel like it provides a comforting anchor for those feeling nervous or shy, giving them something to hold onto as they navigate social interactions, and also serves as a catalyst for genuine connection. On a side note, it's disheartening to see how some people now retreat into their phones instead of engaging with those around them. They've forgotten the simple joy of being present and interacting face-to-face. But back to the importance of food in relationships—there's truly nothing quite like it. Sharing a meal creates an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, a space where barriers are broken down and genuine conversations flow freely. For businesses focused on building authentic relationships, incorporating food and meals into their interactions can be incredibly impactful. Whether it's hosting client dinners or organizing team lunches, these moments go beyond just eating—they lay the groundwork for deeper connections and lasting partnerships. So, if you're looking to strengthen the bonds within your business or community, consider the power of breaking bread together. It's a timeless tradition that transcends cultures and generations, reminding us of our shared humanity and the importance of connection. #CapitolCreatorsAndChampions #WashingtonDC #NetworkingEvents #Tech #RealEstate #Consulting #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital

As #CommunityEngagement Practitioners our single biggest responsibility to the community is to remain HOT!  We need to stay on top of what's drab and what’s fab in the ways people #communicate, the way people #connect. So Mama GiaVulva is here to help you sashay away from the passé and strut into what's sizzling in the world of #communityengagement this season. Pop-Up Kiosks (🔥Hot🔥): Originally inspired by carnival kissing booths; #PopUps capture the attention of passersby with genuine #facetoface interaction. Imagine it as a chic drive-thru for #communityinsights! Relying Solely on Letterbox Drops (🤮Fugly🤮): In 2024 you can't just send out Notifications and call it a day! Don’t be lazy and just tick a box. We're in the age of dynamic interaction, not passive information dumps. Don’t just take a dump on your community! Drop-In Sessions (🔥Hot🔥): These sessions are designed to be as flexible as my sexy Yoga instructor #Diego. Ditch the stuffy formalities, by allowing people to drop-in at their own time, we allow them to spill the tea, connect, and contribute in their own glamorous way. Feedback Blackholes (🤮Fugly🤮): Our #stakeholders pour their hearts into sharing their ideas, their concerns. So don’t just let their feedback float off into the abyss! You gotta snap it up, make it sparkle, and actually do something with it. Acknowledge, analyze, and act—don’t let their precious pearls of wisdom get sucked into the blackhole of laziness! World Café with Decision Maker Table Hosts (🔥Hot🔥): If you want to truly serve up some piping hot dialogue at your #WorldCafés, may I suggest choosing some VIP Wait Staff! I like to enlist the #decisionmakers themselves to help guide the discussion activities. It puts a face to the project and gives the community a direct line to those who call the shots. It's like having a backstage pass—everyone gets a closer look at how decisions are made and has a chance to #influence the outcome. It’s personal, it’s direct, and it makes every voice in the room feel valued and heard. (Note; this can sometimes be a disaster) Uninspiring Digital Meetings (🤮Fugly🤮): A dull Zoom call? Not on my watch! Light it up, decorate that #digitalspace, and make sure it’s a virtual party, not a digital dungeon. We want webcams on and faces glowing, not hiding in the shadows. Community BBQs (🔥Hot🔥): Who can resist a juicy sausage? People are hungry for #opportunities to connect and engage with their community, so serve it to them. Create a better space for #publicparticipation, where you don’t just incentivise engagement but you cultivate it. BBQ’s bring people together, in an authentic, non-combative space to share. So fire up that grill! Town Halls (🤮Fugly🤮): Please see my previous rant, but in case you missed it; #TownHallsSuck! So, my fabulous community engagers, it’s time to ditch the old and werk the new. Embrace the trends that make our stakeholders feel like they’re part of something special, because they are!

We all have seen the messages in hotels about re-using the towels, but what you don't realise is the thinking behind that messaging. We are motivated to help the environment but we are also motivated by social norms more, so if we know other guests do the same we will get on board. A study was done in 2008 by behavioural scientists Noah Goldstein, Robert Cialdini, and Vladas Griskevicius. They created two messages:- “HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT. You can show your respect for nature and help save the environment by reusing your towels during your stay.” The other focused on social norms: “JOIN YOUR FELLOW GUESTS IN HELPING TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT. Almost 75% of guests who are asked to participate in our new resource savings program do help by using their towels more than once. You can join your fellow guests in this program to help save the environment by reusing your towels during your stay.” They found that guests with the social norm sign reused their towels at a significantly higher rate than those with the standard sign. https://buff.ly/4aVbVq8

Completion of the 21-Day Consistency Challenge with Kwasi York! Hello LinkedIn community, I'm excited to share that I have successfully completed the 21-day Consistency Challenge with Kwasi York! Consistency is a powerful tool in achieving our goals and personal growth. Over the past three weeks, I dedicated myself to this challenge, focusing on staying committed and consistent in my professional journey. Here are a few takeaways from this experience: 1️⃣ Discipline and Routine: Establishing a daily routine helped me stay focused and disciplined, ensuring that I made steady progress every day. 2️⃣ Goal Setting: Setting clear, achievable goals kept me motivated and provided a roadmap for what I wanted to accomplish. 3️⃣ Accountability: Having a partner like Kwasi York kept me accountable and pushed me to stay on track, even on the toughest days. 4️⃣ Personal Growth: This challenge was not just about professional development; it also fostered personal growth, resilience, and a stronger mindset. 5️⃣ Community Support Engaging with the LinkedIn community and receiving support and encouragement from my network made a significant difference. I'm incredibly grateful for this experience and the positive impact it has had on my journey. I encourage everyone to take on their own challenges, stay consistent, and strive for continuous improvement. A big thank you to Kwasi York for being an inspiring partner and to everyone who supported me along the way( your comments, messages, likes and engagement kept me going) Let's continue to support each other and achieve greatness together! #ConsistencyChallenge #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Accountability #GoalSetting #LinkedInCommunity

When we write our history, what we record and the angle we put on to events and experiences is all a matter of perception. What we see, what resonates with us, how something makes us feel, and what piqued our interest will all impact what we remember and will record in our minds as the history associated with the event or activity. The image on this post is from a park in Thailand. For one of two travellers, this stylised heart bridge over a pond with all the love-locks was of interest and so they took a photo. The other traveller doesn't even recall going to the park, let alone seeing this structure. This demonstrates how even when people share the same experience their memories and impressions of the event can be quite different. This is why when seeking alignment in the workplace, we need to consider that others do not always see things from our perspective (positive or negative). When addressing disagreements or investigating an incident in the workplace, the participants' memories of what occurred during a conversation or interaction can be vastly different. A good way to address this is to start by asking a question... "what was your impression of..." or "what do you recall happened when..." or "how did you feel about...." By starting with these questions to those involved, you can potentially find the gaps initially and also identify common ground to build upon. https://wix.to/TMqtM3D

Nice smell – I've just returned from my morning run in Prince Alfred Park and take the elevator to the floor of our apartment. That's when I hear this remark from the man, who is in the elevator with me. I look at him in shock. But he points to my coffee tray and adds: "I can smell your coffee." I have a flat white, a cappuccino and two long blacks for my family and me, with whom I spend my workation together in Sydney. For breakfast. I find the coffee culture here in Australia very convincing. There is a café on every corner where you can grab your coffee-to-go. Ideally, of course, in your own reusable cup. And it's never a disappointment: there's simply no thin or bad coffee here. Coffee culture in Australia has its origins in the post-war period, when Italian immigrants arrived with their espresso machines. Here in Sydney, you can't stand bad coffee and you often walk past a nearby coffee shop to enjoy your favourite café's morning coffee. In my family's opinion, our favourite café is "Knock" and is located on the corner of Charmers-Cleveland. "Knock, knock, knockin' on Heaven's door...", comes to my mind. And what I am impressed with: Australians seem to have learned "Best Practices" from other cultures and integrated and improved them even further. True at least for their coffee culture. There are many ways to perceive a new culture and immerse yourself in it. One of them is to get to know everyday life while travelling. Interested, curious, with open eyes and with all the other senses. ➡️ And you? How do you drink your coffee? Fun Fact: Three baristas accompany the Australian Olympic team to Paris. #leadershipinbalance #interculturalleadershipexcellence #expatlife #sydney I am Bernd Scharbert with 30+ years of leadership experience in the Corporate Business World. Check out my Guiding Principles, if you like, to facilitate intercultural interactions 1on1 or within globally composed teams. Link in one of the comments. And feel free to follow #Prepare4Landing or contact me directly.

There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline of being onsite – seeing our months of creating, strategising, and planning come to life is one of the things we all love about being event profs. Our role not only involves producing and managing events as they unfold, though – supporting and reassuring clients, and eliminating any feelings of stress they are experiencing is a must too. Given April is Stress Awareness Month, here are some of the ways team Sledge supports clients in this way: ✅ We develop detailed production schedules well ahead of time, so they are aware of every aspect of the day/s. 🔑 Given events can change at the last minute – often due to elements out of our control – our team members view developing a plan B, C and even D as key. 📞 Strategic resourcing is a must, and we curate the right onsite team so that all runs smoothly. We also ensure there is an onsite point of contact for clients to reach at any time. We’ve just recognised the month via the Sledge company page, too – head on over there for more details. #Sledge #stressawareness #wellbeing #employeewellbeing #employeeexperience #agencyculture

https://lnkd.in/gC_sExBi CLUB PHOENIX is a one-year journey that transforms your health and energizes your life. We're here to solve a major problem—chronic burnout. Whether it's caused by your job, personal life, or the constant pressure to perform, burnout can leave you feeling lifeless. Here, you'll join others who are already making strides with key wellness habits, and together, we'll help you make rapid progress. We're an empowered collective where transformation is real and where each member supported every step of the way.