Friday 24 September 2010
Treasure Trails Regional Meeting
I really wanted to share the photo of the Treasure Trails teams from Herefordshire & Worcestershire along with Staffordshire, Warwickshire & West Midlands and Gloucestershire, but I can't upload the file - very frustrating........
Business is Booming
Well what a fab week we've had picking up some potential business and some real business - I won't share the potential business just yet, but I am delighted to report that the real business is very exciting.......
The Bewdley Schools Project was confirmed on Monday - we have been asked to work with four schools in Bewdley to help them to create / write a Maths Trail around Bewdley which will be launched at the Discover Bewdley Festival next spring/early summer. We are to work with Beverley, one of the teachers and 8 children and their parents over a five week period with 5 x 2 hour school sessions. But, its not just that select few that will work on the Trail - there will be two competitions running alongside as well - one for years 5 & 6 to design the certificate that each Trailer will receive when they hand in their completed Trail and the second one which every child in all four schools will be invited to participate in to design the front cover of the Trail. The wow factor will be fantastic.... so watch this space! Oh, I nearly forgot we don't start the work until February half term.
The second project confirmed just today is that we have been commissioned by The Courtyard in Hereford to write a Hereford Arts Trail for launch in time for this year's pantomime which starts at the end of November. David has been working hard all afternoon researching the content and we hope to start walking the streets on Monday to determine the route and clues etc.,
So the Treasure Trail week ends on a high! Meantime, on Sunday we are at The Chase Hotel in Ross-on-Wye for a craft fair, so its business as usual too :)
The Bewdley Schools Project was confirmed on Monday - we have been asked to work with four schools in Bewdley to help them to create / write a Maths Trail around Bewdley which will be launched at the Discover Bewdley Festival next spring/early summer. We are to work with Beverley, one of the teachers and 8 children and their parents over a five week period with 5 x 2 hour school sessions. But, its not just that select few that will work on the Trail - there will be two competitions running alongside as well - one for years 5 & 6 to design the certificate that each Trailer will receive when they hand in their completed Trail and the second one which every child in all four schools will be invited to participate in to design the front cover of the Trail. The wow factor will be fantastic.... so watch this space! Oh, I nearly forgot we don't start the work until February half term.
The second project confirmed just today is that we have been commissioned by The Courtyard in Hereford to write a Hereford Arts Trail for launch in time for this year's pantomime which starts at the end of November. David has been working hard all afternoon researching the content and we hope to start walking the streets on Monday to determine the route and clues etc.,
So the Treasure Trail week ends on a high! Meantime, on Sunday we are at The Chase Hotel in Ross-on-Wye for a craft fair, so its business as usual too :)
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Off the point, but SOOOOO true!!
This was sent to me by email from an old HR contact and I just loved it so much, I wanted to capture it for others to read.......
We sat around the table trying to decide who was the best candidate for the job. Mary felt Sam should get the job. "Just look at his education," she said to Mark and I. "Based on his resume, he has the knowledge to do the job".
"But Mary look at Ellen. Her references said she is a hard worker, and, from the interview, you could tell she works hard. That is what we need here. Someone who is not afraid of a lot of work," exclaimed Mark.
I sat and listened to Mark and Mary debate over who was the best candidate for the job. Then they turned to me and said, "What do you think Kate? Is it knowledge or is it a hard worker we need for this job?"
"Both are important but there is one thing you are both missing," I said. They both looked at me like I was crazy. I explained by saying, "Knowledge is certainly important, but knowledge can be learned. And working hard is important. But if a person just works hard but they fail to see things that could be improved or fail to see a smarter way to work rather than just working and working, than that won't help us."
I could tell by the look on their faces that they wished they had not asked me to sit on this interview. We had been interviewing for 3 days now and they had narrowed it down to the two candidates that we were discussing. Now, here I am saying that it was neither of these candidates!
"I think Ruth would be the best candidate for the job." They looked at each other, but I held up my hand in protest and said, "Hear me out before you say anything. My reason for picking Ruth is because of her attitude."
"Attitude", both Mary and Mark said at the same time! "Yes, attitude," I replied.
"Let me explain. Ruth has good education credentials, and I agree that her credentials are not as good as Sam's. And Ruth's answers to the interview questions showed she would look for ways to improve how she performs a job rather than just working and working. The one thing that impressed me the most was her attitude. >From the reference checks, it confirms that she has a positive attitude and influences those around her. We need someone who can look at how and what we are doing, someone who will question the why and someone who will look for solutions."
I could see that Mark agreed with my thinking, but Mary was still impressed with Sam's education. "Mary, you can teach anyone the theory, but you can not teach someone the right attitude." Mary sat for a minute and thought about this. Finally, she replied, "You know Kate listening to you reminds me of my grandmother. She once showed me something that I had forgotten about. As you were talking, it flashed in my mind. Let me share my grandmothers way of thinking with you."
She stood up and went to the flipchart, and start writing the alphabet. Mark and I exchanged looks but let Mary continue.
She explained, "If you numbered the alphabet it would look like this."
She then proceeded to write on the flip chart,
A...B...C...D...E...F...G...H...I...J…..K…..L….M.....N....O
1...2...3...4...5….6....7....8...9...10...11..12. 13...14...15
P....Q....R....S....T.....U....V....W....X....Y....Z 16..17….18...19...20...21...22...23...24...25...26
She continued to write on the flip chart:
K = 11
N = 14
O = 15
W = 23
L = 12
E = 5
D = 4
G = 7
E = 5
Total 96 points
H = 8
A = 1
R = 18
D = 4
W = 23
O = 15
R = 18
K = 11
Total 98 points
A = 1
T = 20
T = 20
I = 9
T = 20
U = 21
D = 4
E = 5
Total 100 points
I was surprised when she was finished. I had never seen this done before. I suddenly realized I no longer had to explain to Mary the importance of attitude; her grandmother had done that for me. We all laughed and all agreed that Ruth was the successful candidate for the job!
You can work hard, you can have excellent educational credentials, but how many points would your attitude score?
We sat around the table trying to decide who was the best candidate for the job. Mary felt Sam should get the job. "Just look at his education," she said to Mark and I. "Based on his resume, he has the knowledge to do the job".
"But Mary look at Ellen. Her references said she is a hard worker, and, from the interview, you could tell she works hard. That is what we need here. Someone who is not afraid of a lot of work," exclaimed Mark.
I sat and listened to Mark and Mary debate over who was the best candidate for the job. Then they turned to me and said, "What do you think Kate? Is it knowledge or is it a hard worker we need for this job?"
"Both are important but there is one thing you are both missing," I said. They both looked at me like I was crazy. I explained by saying, "Knowledge is certainly important, but knowledge can be learned. And working hard is important. But if a person just works hard but they fail to see things that could be improved or fail to see a smarter way to work rather than just working and working, than that won't help us."
I could tell by the look on their faces that they wished they had not asked me to sit on this interview. We had been interviewing for 3 days now and they had narrowed it down to the two candidates that we were discussing. Now, here I am saying that it was neither of these candidates!
"I think Ruth would be the best candidate for the job." They looked at each other, but I held up my hand in protest and said, "Hear me out before you say anything. My reason for picking Ruth is because of her attitude."
"Attitude", both Mary and Mark said at the same time! "Yes, attitude," I replied.
"Let me explain. Ruth has good education credentials, and I agree that her credentials are not as good as Sam's. And Ruth's answers to the interview questions showed she would look for ways to improve how she performs a job rather than just working and working. The one thing that impressed me the most was her attitude. >From the reference checks, it confirms that she has a positive attitude and influences those around her. We need someone who can look at how and what we are doing, someone who will question the why and someone who will look for solutions."
I could see that Mark agreed with my thinking, but Mary was still impressed with Sam's education. "Mary, you can teach anyone the theory, but you can not teach someone the right attitude." Mary sat for a minute and thought about this. Finally, she replied, "You know Kate listening to you reminds me of my grandmother. She once showed me something that I had forgotten about. As you were talking, it flashed in my mind. Let me share my grandmothers way of thinking with you."
She stood up and went to the flipchart, and start writing the alphabet. Mark and I exchanged looks but let Mary continue.
She explained, "If you numbered the alphabet it would look like this."
She then proceeded to write on the flip chart,
A...B...C...D...E...F...G...H...I...J…..K…..L….M.....N....O
1...2...3...4...5….6....7....8...9...10...11..12. 13...14...15
P....Q....R....S....T.....U....V....W....X....Y....Z 16..17….18...19...20...21...22...23...24...25...26
She continued to write on the flip chart:
K = 11
N = 14
O = 15
W = 23
L = 12
E = 5
D = 4
G = 7
E = 5
Total 96 points
H = 8
A = 1
R = 18
D = 4
W = 23
O = 15
R = 18
K = 11
Total 98 points
A = 1
T = 20
T = 20
I = 9
T = 20
U = 21
D = 4
E = 5
Total 100 points
I was surprised when she was finished. I had never seen this done before. I suddenly realized I no longer had to explain to Mary the importance of attitude; her grandmother had done that for me. We all laughed and all agreed that Ruth was the successful candidate for the job!
You can work hard, you can have excellent educational credentials, but how many points would your attitude score?
Monday 13 September 2010
Droitwich Spa Salt Day
Considering when we arrived at Vines Park in Droitwich Spa and it was raining cats, dogs, frogs and fish - we had a really good day! On arrival, we sat in the car for ages waiting for the rain to pass, which it did eventually and we managed to get our marquee up without dropping too many bits in the mud and then down again at 5.00pm before the rain returned. I love the British, the fact that it is raining doesn't seem to phase them. They don their wellies and come out in it anyway and why not. If you wait for the rain to pass you don't do anything.
Again we met lots of seasoned Trailers and loved listening to their stories and we met some new potential addicts too! One or two people have started their Xmas shopping which seems pretty incredible to me, but then again, I love the whole Christmas shopping experience and like to leave it to much nearer the time.
So, Droitwich Spa Salt Day got the thumbs up and we hope to be back for a third year running in 2011 :).
Again we met lots of seasoned Trailers and loved listening to their stories and we met some new potential addicts too! One or two people have started their Xmas shopping which seems pretty incredible to me, but then again, I love the whole Christmas shopping experience and like to leave it to much nearer the time.
So, Droitwich Spa Salt Day got the thumbs up and we hope to be back for a third year running in 2011 :).
Friday 10 September 2010
Blog Writing & Show Experiences
How to write a decent blog post is something that I think about on a regular basis and it seems that I've found a Business Link course that will tackle just that. Unfortunately, though it is full and I can't get a place on it anywhere local and however much I want to write a great blog entry, I can't justify the time or expense to drive to Solihull or wherever else the course is on. Will just have to wait until it comes back to Herefordshire!
Meantime, you, dear reader, will have to cope with my usual style!
So, what's new in our Treasure Trails world since I last blogged....we've been to the Monmouth Show and the Pershore Plum Festival - both of which were fun but for different reasons..... the Monmouth Show was really enjoyable because we shared our stand with Geoff from Treasure Trails West Wales.... in between sales we were able to exchange stories and swap tips and hints on how to be a great Treasure Trail licensee with Geoff. His patch is long and thin and he arranges his Trails on the stand in geographical order - something I hadn't thought of but works particularly well for his catalogue. He also uses an A frame which was up outside the marquee and I know drove at least one person in to try and find us. Note to self, buy an A frame for posters. Paul and Clare from Treasure Trails Warwickshire and West Midlands were also at the show, so it was almost like a mini regional meeting! We talked to several prospective licensees for Monmouth too - hope we get one for that area soon!
The Pershore Plum Festival was a fabulous show - partly because the sun shone, but more so because it felt that we were meeting up with old friends. Its the third year that we've been to the Pershore Plum Festival and not only are we on first name terms with many of the locals, but we met some experienced Trailers that we hadn't met before. The Guillaume family from London bought a Trail from us and did it there and then. They told us that they often do a day trip into Worcestershire from London especially to do one of our Trails and then on returning to London, they submit their answers and give us their feedback... .so it was wonderful to meet them and hear their stories. We also met up again with customer Maggie Skinner, who commissioned us in the past to create a personalised Trail for one of her friends, so it was lovely to see her. Lyndsay Smith from the Worcester Tourist Information Centre dropped by to say hi and tell us that her and her staff are looking forward to doing Worcester Riverside in the new year when the TIC is closed for refurbishment. Another lady dropped by to say thank you for sending out the newsletters that we do and that she was only there because of our newsletter otherwise she wouldn't have known that Pershore had a Plum Festival!
All in all a great day out!
Meantime, you, dear reader, will have to cope with my usual style!
So, what's new in our Treasure Trails world since I last blogged....we've been to the Monmouth Show and the Pershore Plum Festival - both of which were fun but for different reasons..... the Monmouth Show was really enjoyable because we shared our stand with Geoff from Treasure Trails West Wales.... in between sales we were able to exchange stories and swap tips and hints on how to be a great Treasure Trail licensee with Geoff. His patch is long and thin and he arranges his Trails on the stand in geographical order - something I hadn't thought of but works particularly well for his catalogue. He also uses an A frame which was up outside the marquee and I know drove at least one person in to try and find us. Note to self, buy an A frame for posters. Paul and Clare from Treasure Trails Warwickshire and West Midlands were also at the show, so it was almost like a mini regional meeting! We talked to several prospective licensees for Monmouth too - hope we get one for that area soon!
The Pershore Plum Festival was a fabulous show - partly because the sun shone, but more so because it felt that we were meeting up with old friends. Its the third year that we've been to the Pershore Plum Festival and not only are we on first name terms with many of the locals, but we met some experienced Trailers that we hadn't met before. The Guillaume family from London bought a Trail from us and did it there and then. They told us that they often do a day trip into Worcestershire from London especially to do one of our Trails and then on returning to London, they submit their answers and give us their feedback... .so it was wonderful to meet them and hear their stories. We also met up again with customer Maggie Skinner, who commissioned us in the past to create a personalised Trail for one of her friends, so it was lovely to see her. Lyndsay Smith from the Worcester Tourist Information Centre dropped by to say hi and tell us that her and her staff are looking forward to doing Worcester Riverside in the new year when the TIC is closed for refurbishment. Another lady dropped by to say thank you for sending out the newsletters that we do and that she was only there because of our newsletter otherwise she wouldn't have known that Pershore had a Plum Festival!
All in all a great day out!
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