Today we had Tony Armstrong of BMD Global with us in his capacity as Director of Licensees for Treasure Trails. Tony has a wealth of experience of sales training and creating strategy for businesses and we were hoping to learn from him. And I am delighted to report that we achieved our objective!
So watch out all your retailers out there.... I have a renewed focus and energy and want to get our Trails out to our local retailers! If you are a retailer reading this and want to be one of the first to stock.... get in touch!!
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Where are we in November?
Lots happening in the run up to Christmas, we can be found at the following events.......
A Shopping Evening at Trinity School, Hereford on Wednesday 10th November.
Lunch and Champagne at Malvern College on Thursday 11th November - let us know if you would like an invitation and we'll post one out to you! The event is in support of Help for Heroes
From 5.30 on Thursday, 18th November we are at The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury. There will be a Christmas market with a fantastic raffle of a portrait by a well-known local artist and will be a fun evening with funds going to the Noah's Ark Trust (a local charity giving support to bereaved children) and as the charity is the chosen one for both BBC Hereford and Worcester and the new Mayor of Ledbury, it'll be a very high-profile event (wear your glad-rags).
Switching to Worcestershire, we will again be at The Farncombe Christmas Art and Craft Fair near Broadway on Sunday, 21st November. This will be the third year for us and the quality of stalls and the opportunity to pick up one off gifts is brilliant. http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/coursedetail.asp?course=2258
On the morning of Thursday, 25th November we will be outside at the Gloucester Quays Very Victorian Christmas Fair. We are holding the fort for Rachel, our Gloucestershire colleague who will take over during the afternoon and manage the stall for the next couple of days, so if you don't make it on the Thursday, then say hi to her from us!
We are at another Herefordshire school on Saturday, 27th November - The Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School for an afternoon Christmas Fair which we are looking forward to.
A Shopping Evening at Trinity School, Hereford on Wednesday 10th November.
Lunch and Champagne at Malvern College on Thursday 11th November - let us know if you would like an invitation and we'll post one out to you! The event is in support of Help for Heroes
From 5.30 on Thursday, 18th November we are at The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury. There will be a Christmas market with a fantastic raffle of a portrait by a well-known local artist and will be a fun evening with funds going to the Noah's Ark Trust (a local charity giving support to bereaved children) and as the charity is the chosen one for both BBC Hereford and Worcester and the new Mayor of Ledbury, it'll be a very high-profile event (wear your glad-rags).
Switching to Worcestershire, we will again be at The Farncombe Christmas Art and Craft Fair near Broadway on Sunday, 21st November. This will be the third year for us and the quality of stalls and the opportunity to pick up one off gifts is brilliant. http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/coursedetail.asp?course=2258
On the morning of Thursday, 25th November we will be outside at the Gloucester Quays Very Victorian Christmas Fair. We are holding the fort for Rachel, our Gloucestershire colleague who will take over during the afternoon and manage the stall for the next couple of days, so if you don't make it on the Thursday, then say hi to her from us!
We are at another Herefordshire school on Saturday, 27th November - The Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School for an afternoon Christmas Fair which we are looking forward to.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Is it time for Christmas Yet?
My resolution for the next few weeks is to really learn to blog properly. I've found various articles on how to blog and plan to put what I've learnt into practise.... meantime, I will continue on my usual vein!
Which is news from Treasure Trails Herefordshire and Worcestershire : a quick update on what we've been up to, since the last time!
e were at the Elms Hotel in Abberley, Worcestershire for one of Helen Hobden's Ladies that Lunch events - Champagne, lunch and shopping! I had a very small space behind the door to the second room and I think it will be one of the last times our spinner will be out as it is really on its last legs now..... met some nice ladies who bought Trails for Christmas pressies, but the consensus was that it was really a bit early for Christmas present buying and I tend to agree. There were some nice things there, but I for one don't want to start yet!
Lets get through half term first!
Which is news from Treasure Trails Herefordshire and Worcestershire : a quick update on what we've been up to, since the last time!
e were at the Elms Hotel in Abberley, Worcestershire for one of Helen Hobden's Ladies that Lunch events - Champagne, lunch and shopping! I had a very small space behind the door to the second room and I think it will be one of the last times our spinner will be out as it is really on its last legs now..... met some nice ladies who bought Trails for Christmas pressies, but the consensus was that it was really a bit early for Christmas present buying and I tend to agree. There were some nice things there, but I for one don't want to start yet!
Lets get through half term first!
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 :).
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