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Dec 02/2014

Collaboration – Pitching Far Too High?

Sometimes you’re too close to something to appreciate how special it is. But with a bit of distance and time you realise what fantastic things a bunch of random people can achieve! Preceding Le Grand Depart in Yorkshire there was a parallel arts festival and one of the highlights was undoubtedly Hope and Social’s Tour of Infinite Possibility. This blog is not about how great it was or the band are (ok I have to agree they did steal the show at the team presentations opening ceremony!) but about how I witnessed and was a small part of a team working and co-operating together – now I think I understand what collaboration really means.

Jul 25/2014

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5- A- Side Charity Football Quiz – The Biggest Event in Leeds Since Le Grand Depart?!!

A couple of years ago we ran a 5 a side football quiz for The Stephen Switalski Trust it was a roaring success. So we have decided to run another quiz this autumn to raise much needed funds for two charities Kids & Simon on the Streets. We’re delighted to confirm that the quiz master will again be Richard Clews who set and ran a fantastic quiz last time.

It will take place in Trinity Arts, the wonderful venue adjacent to Trinity, in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 September with a prompt kick off at 6pm and full time due for 7.45pm.

May 28/2014

Blog, Staple Stories

A Truly Liberating 5 Letter Word

I had a painful divorce 19 years ago after my wife left me and subsequently I moved away from Sheffield. Sadly I’ve seen her at a few funerals since and it has smarted. I could see we had both been invited to a mutual friend’s 50^th weekend party and mini-festival. I wanted to see my other friends but not her nor the guy she left me for.

My wife has been encouraging me to let go and forgive my ex for years but I couldn’t, as I believed I needed her to say sorry.

Feb 03/2014

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The Next Tango in Halifax – Luxury Skimming Stones

Artist, inventor and designer Dominic Wilcox came to Creative Calderdale and presented some of his unique work. He gave us an insight into how he develops his ideas and his creative work. He opened with the classic truism from Leonard Cohen “If I knew where ideas came from I’d go there more often”.

At the bottom I’ll share a link to his website as it is simply brilliant.

Feb 03/2014

Blog, Staple Stories

“The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes”

Back in 2013, I started wearing my Red Kickers to all my business meetings. I now understand there is some research from Harvard Business School indicating that wearing red shoes enhances perceptions of status and competence: Washington Post. Anyhow below is the story of when I bought my first pair.

I’ve never had any real fashion sense but was very fortunate that I grew up in London and just before I was going to university Dicky Dirts had a closing down sale. I walked into a scene of carnage as I entered the shop – I think it could have been a record for how many people you could cram into per square foot of shop. People were wandering around with arms full of merchandise with glazed grins and wide eyes scanning for more bargains.

I quickly found a couple of pairs of jeans, a few shirts, a duffle coat, some brown cord dungarees (I know!) and a size 10 red Kickers left boot – the holy grail. Now where was the right one?

Nov 13/2013

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Branding & Design Edge – Uncommon Sense

I was lucky enough to be at a Leeds Business School to hear Steve Edge @EdgeDesignLtd let the audience have his views on marketing and design with both barrels. Steve told us stories and anecdotes from his amazing career which were both thought provoking and challenging – but laced with some simple pearls of wisdom. From working on the Muppets and then Star Wars with George

Sep 06/2013

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