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10 Lessons I’ve Learned

I set my business up over the summer 10 years ago and started trading in September 2013. It was challenging to build momentum and the support of my family and friends was essential. I’ve tried to apply the things I’ve learnt through my life and career to shape and guide my journey.

10 Lessons from 10 Years of Running My Business

1.Work out what your currency is.

Making a difference and being appreciated is far more important than money to me.

2.  Seek advice and expertise from others.

I’d like to thank Paul Kurzeja, Mark Stringer, James Kirkby and Jim Woodhead for their fabulous advice and input they have given me to establish and enable my business to grow.

3. Have a support network, family and friends.

It would have been impossible to have built my business without the incredible support and encouragement of my family. My brother, even though he lives in the USA, has always given me invaluable and sometimes blunt advice but always incredible support. I’ve met some great people in the Yorkshire business community and legal groups that have been fabulously supportive. Keep learning and asking questions, there are so many great people and resources available, build those relationships and ask.

4. Trust your gut and instincts and hold onto your values.

Many will tell you how you are supposed to run a business, and the things you must do. Although some of the advice is great, the essential thing is always to ask why (Simon Sinek: Why  and take responsibility for your decisions and in the end always trust your gut. This song, by the wonderful Eric Bibb, sums up that attitude > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLjWKwCAjJs

5. Make sure you have breaks and fun.

Especially when you are starting off, it is hard to switch off and take time off. In the early years, I’d work while I was on holiday and arranged my life around my work, but I still made time to do things I enjoyed. I’ve found a balance that works for me, live music and swimming have been so important. Hope and Social have been an inspiration and chaotically keep me in touch with reality and what life can be. They’re also a great bunch of guys and have a wonderful community of fans. My swimming buddies be it in the river, Ilkley lido or my local pool have kept me moving, special shout outs to Julian Smith and Neil Raven.

Burley Banksy

6. Have a clear and transparent pricing policy.

My value is defined by my clients, so they decide what to pay me. I have my Pay Fair policy at the core of my business. It takes any issues about my fees out of the equation, and we can properly focus on working effectively together. 99+% pay me my suggested fee, some pay me more and I just donate the extra to Simon on the Streets. I’ve kept my suggested hourly rate at the same level for 10 years. I’m frequently told that I should increase my rates, but why? I make more than enough to comfortably get by and I’m very grateful to my clients.

7. Look after your clients and suppliers and they’ll look after you.

It’s not rocket science, but I make sure I pay my suppliers quickly usually on the same day. I celebrate with my clients on their successes and also commiserate at the times when they have not got the result they had hoped for. My Pay Fair policy enables me to donate 10% (to Simon on the Streets) of my fees from clients that are referred to me.

A picture pianted by someone I coached.

8. Do say please, thank you and sorry.

When I realise, I’ve made and, no doubt, I’ll continue to make mistakes, when I do then I quickly apologise. If I ask for  something, a please is free, as is a thank you for a referral, social media share or payment.

9. Be Kind

As Tom Peters explains: Kindness is Free! Some of my most enjoyable work over the past 10 years has been mentoring business start-ups for free. I’ve worked with some great people and businesses and am still in touch with many of them. I give way advice on my website, via YouTube videos and more specific guidance by e-mail. As well as supporting Simon on the Streets, I donate to the fantastic Billable Hour and have a monthly direct debit via them to Save the Children.

10. Take Your Next Step

We’re on a journey but we won’t get anywhere until we take that next step, it may be in the wrong direction but you won’t get anywhere by standing still!

I’m looking forward to the future, to the people I’ll meet, the things I’ll learn and to enjoying the next stage of my journey.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF MY JOURNEY SO FAR.

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Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) Competition

This competition will launch on Thursday 30 January and the deadline for applications is 1pm on Thursday 13 February 2025.

There are 50 vacancies (over three times more than the 15 post available in 2023) across England and Wales, so I anticipate this will again be a very competitive competition. About 10-15 years ago the DDJ Mags competition was the first one where the JAC used on-line qualifying tests as a shortlisting tool. I had hoped the JAC would not require candidates to submit their competencies before taking the qualifying tests, as they do with DDJ civil candidates. However,  all candidates will be required  to submit evidence of how they demonstrate the competencies before sitting the qualifyng tests!

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Taking Silk – New King’s Counsel KC Workshops

I’ve have been running workshops on Judicial and Silk applications for a number of circuits and chambers. Since the pandmic I have been running these remotely via Zoom. “Thank you for the sessions. Feedback on them has been excellent.” Wales and Chester Circuit.

Ahead of the first King’s Counsel competition I’ve been asked to run a specific workshop focussing on the 2023 Silk Competition.

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Judicial and Silk Appointment On-Line Interactive Workshops

Over the past few years I’ve been running my interactive workshops for barristers and solicitors wanting to gain insights into the Silk and/or Judicial application processes. I’ve very much enjoyed doing these and have received some excellent feedback. I was approached to run another one for a chambers on the Midlands Circuit in May – but then we were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Real Inspiration – Ted Talks or Songs?

I think there are some absolutely brilliant Ted Talks and I’ve eagerly shared them with many clients as well as during my workshops on leadership and communication. However, I find that music and songs have a greater impact on people. Perhaps it is true: “We learned more from a 3-minute record then we ever learned in school”.

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Hope & Tears

I don’t think there were many dry eyes in the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on Friday 5 October 2018.

Music has always been important to me, even though I can’t play any instrument, I can only sing enthusiastically (and feel sorry for people near me at gigs) and I can’t even clap in time! But being at a gig with others is one of the places I feel most at home, connected and alive. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the best bands in the world (I know that is very subjective) and been to some wonderful and memorable gigs. A number of years ago, a friend thought I may like to check out a band described as “A cross between Arcade Fire meets The Faces like a Yorkshire’s E Street Band” – they sounded right up my street!  Ladies and Gellyspoons… please allow me to introduce you to Hope and Social.

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A Cold Swim for Some Hot People

When we were in Wasdale last summer we saw two guys swimming Wast Water  and although we are all now blaming each other, someone (Sarah, Jim or I) said “we should do that next year”.  The vague idea has been in the back of our minds and then, before we knew it, it was Easter and a few months to our annual camping trip.

To complicate matters our local swimming pool has been closed for refurbishments. We’ve had to find other pools and I’ve had the most flexibility and have swum most mornings. It has been much harder for Sarah and Jim to find space in their schedules and swimming a distance takes us some time!

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JAC Recorder Competition 2024

**** 29 October 2024 ****

The 2024 competition launches on Tuesday 5 November 2024, with just 70 vacancies, 55 down on last year’s  125 vacancies but in step with the reduction of vacancies in the current Circuit Judge competition. Don’t be put off by the JAC’s painfully drawn out processes, I’ve worked with many people over the years who suffered numerous rejections yet are now recognised as some of our best judges! – BELIEVE! I’ll aim to update this blog as any new details or changes emerge and the 2024 competition progresses.

The competency framework, as in all JAC competitions, this is your plumb line.

Key Dates:

Deadline for applications 1pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

Online qualifying tests: 11 December 2024 – Situational Judgement and Critical Reasoning

Online Scenario test: 5 February 2024 – Speed Typing Test!

Shortlisting outcome: May 2024

JAC Contacts Independent Assessors  for successful candidates: 12 May 2024 

Selection days will still be Remote and via MS Teams: 30 June – 11 July 2024

Outcome of selection process expected by:  2 November 2025!!

****Client Feedback*****

I have worked with scores of successful Recorder candidates and some disappointed ones of many year,  I received many appreciative messages including:

” I am delighted to inform you that I have been put forward for appointment as a Recorder with immediate effect.  Since enlisting your services I have been successful in 2 out of 2 JAC competitions and it is only because of your excellent preparation and guidance.  I knew I had a lot to do after that first practice interview session but you gave me the tools and the confidence to do it.”

“Just to let you know I didn’t get it but I’m very grateful for all your help.  I’ve requested feedback and will apply again.”

**** The Challenge****

To succeed and take your seat on the bench you will need to prepare professionally so that you can have an edge over your competition. This undated blog is written to help you understand what is required and what you need to do to be prepared, fully prepared.

There are three stages to the selection process:

• an online multiple choice test
• an online scenario test
• a selection day comprising an interview and role play”

Again for this competition (as for DDJ Mags)  candidates will need to submit their evidence of the competencies before sitting the qualifying tests!

Please note I will be going on holiday on Monday 18 November the day before the deadline!

Character: read the guidelines carefully and ensure you disclose all relevant matters, failure to do so will be seen as you lacking integrity. Do check your speeding points, no more than 6 points (or one 6 point offence) currently on your driving license!

Short-Listing – Qualifying Tests – The Recorder Lottery

This has evolved so much that I have written a separate blog – where I explain what to expect and how they have evolved recently.

 Application Form – Evidence of Your Competencies : give specific examples of how you demonstrate the competencies. It will take much more time than you think to complete a strong application that will differentiate you from other candidates. If you have not already started, start drafting now! Some tips  to stand out from the crowd.

Selection Day

They aim to shortlist in the ratio of about 3 candidates per vacancy – so perhaps 450 candidates as they seem to have ditched the telephone assessments.

Role Play – you will be given some reading and then a panel of 3 (1 judicial and 2 lay) will observe you hearing some actors who will respond to your questions and directions. The role play starts as soon as you enter the room. The panel will be looking to assess you against the competencies and looking for evidence of how you perform and demonstrate them.

Interview – again before usually the same panel of 3, they will probe the competencies, but not necessarily all of them depending on the evidence in your application form and from your assessors . My advice for interview success.

How I work with candidates.  Any questions or advice please call 0796 999 7335 or e-mail tim@asktim.org

 For information about the workshops I’ve been running please see here.

Some Generous Feedback From Grateful Candidiates:

I got it!!!”

” I just wanted to say thank you so much for the assistance that you provided me with. Whilst plainly I can neither confirm, nor deny, anything, I wanted you to be aware that I could not have gone through the process at all without your assistance. It was utterly invaluable.” 

“Whatever happens, working with you has been an unmitigated pleasure. Really, really grateful.”

“Many thanks for your invaluable help. It made a huge difference and I’m very grateful!”

“I did get an email and it said that they are not going to appoint me… but I remain very grateful for your help which was invaluable.”

“I have to say despite all the brilliant things I had heard about you, I had my doubts… But the difference you have made to my application over a couple of hours has been amazing.”

” @wowthankyoutim Only praise from me – great interview coaching & excellent music recommendations.”

“I’ve been recommended for appointment. I’m over the moon. Your help throughout the selection process was invaluable. Tim, I really cannot thank you enough for your help and support throughout the selection process.”

“Not this year I’m afraid but I do want to thank you for all your help and expertise. I certainly felt much better prepared than I would have been and I think the experience will stand me in good stead in future.”

“I got the job!!!!! I’m waiting to hear where I will be sitting and for the official announcement obviously. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

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