I promised to be more positive on my Blog and here it is. I met Terry Hodgkinson recently to be briefed on a project for a push on selling the last 100 ticket for the Manchester launch showcase for The Alchemists Foundation http://thealchemistsfoundation.com/showcases/manchester - what a guy!
Terry’s aspiration is to create the leaders of the future by encouraging us to pass on our best tips and knowledge after being inspired by the showcase. I’ll be there but I’m already inspired after a couple of meetings with Terry.
His CV is absolutely amazing being the outgoing chair of Yorkshire Forward and running multimillion pound businesses including Magna Holdings and Lemmeleg Construction, both Yorkshire based. He’s also been at the forefront of thinking on national heritage, employment and training, sustainability, regeneration, property and construction and business growth initiatives which are too numerous to mention. I’m guessing he’ll have to answer to his local contacts about why he chose our great city, Manchester, for the launch of this fantastic Foundation for its national roll-out! Of course, personally, I think Manchester’s business community will always get behind a worthy cause and this is a call to action for you activists! Please send a link to your HR managers and directors – I don’t think they’ll regret the investment. This is billed as ‘life changing’ stuff and having met Terry, I can believe it.
The event is being held on October 21st (the day after the spending review) and also at The Comedy Store (around the launch of Manchester’s Comedy Festival). Timing is everything and I’m sure they’ll be lots of people needing a bit of inspiration after hearing what Mr Cameron has in store for us by way of cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review the day before.
We met at Harvey Nicks for coffee, issued a press release about the event last week and were in Piccadilly Gardens in The Alchemist Shoebox van on Friday for press interviews and general information giving. Terry’s got a great idea and I hope that the Manchester business community will get behind it although we’re all in difficult times at present.
At the event itself, you’ll be presented with speakers from sport, culture and our very own Mr Property, Tom Bloxham (Urban Splash). You might say I’ve heard Tom speak a hundred times but this time, it’s different. The talks are given from a personal viewpoint and cover personal challenges and inspirations. I’m looking forward to hearing what Tom’s got to say from a different perspective, we all know his story about humble beginnings in business but I’ve never heard it from his viewpoint with personal insights.
The relationship with the event doesn’t stop there. Afterwards, you’ll be sent a shoebox (valued about £60), chosen because we all have one in the loft or bottom of the wardrobe with our important personal stuff (well, I do anyway!) which will encourage you to spread the inspiration you’ve picked up. A guide to how to chose another individual to share your own shoebox with will also be enclosed. Don’t think of this just gaining personal inspiration (which you most certainly will) but think of it as an opportunity to pass on your own inspiration. We all know what we give out comes back in droves....
Terry’s book “Beyond Expectations” will also be given which is a personal account of his journey from a single parent family in a terraced house to present day and, for those new to the property and construction arena, it also is a history of how the industry has changed and shaped Terry’s career from the late 1960’s onwards. This fantastic grounding is so valuable, not just for those fresh out of University and operating in this environment, but with great business insights running alongside with recommended reading for inspirational growth.
This blog isn’t just a sales pitch; I genuinely believe this is the start of something new and interesting – The Big Society perhaps?! I’ve heard lots of talk about TBS but little tangible action – this provides something towards it. We’re in difficult times and things have to change, Terry is part of that change and I support him wholeheartedly in his efforts although it will require a whole lot more than just my support to sell 100 tickets in just over a week! Please do get on board and show that us Mancunians, as ever, are at the forefront of change....thank you in advance!
Go here to purchase your life-enhancing tickets... http://thealchemistsfoundation.eventbrite.com/
For more information about The Alchemist Foundation and Manchester Showcase go here... http://thealchemistsfoundation.com/showcases/manchester/
