Month: April 2020

As with a lot of people, the days seem like a rollercoaster of good and bad news.

Late morning/early afternoon is the death toll of the day before, which is always more than you’d want it to be. Then the hope that we’re effectively fighting it after the government briefing in the early evening.

I have largely tried to avoid social media, as I find I take notice of fucking idiots (tbf, I always have done, but it’s now on something which actually matters, rather than Man Utd starting line ups and transfer targets) who only want to spread bad news and negativity. However, I have found an absolute beacon of informed positivity: Professor Karol Sikora (@ProfKarolSikora). It is very easy to gravitate towards blindless optimism, but this amazing man manages to manage (overuse of man) expectations, whilst giving informed and articulate commentary on what is going on. I have found following him very comforting.

We’re very fortunate to be working with some progressive, forward-thinking companies who are cracking on with operations and recruitment, which is helping us immensely. Not only does it allow us to have a potential revenue pipeline, it allows me to do what I love most (well, it’s in the top 5 of things – PM me for the other 4), speaking with candidates.

One of the most frequent things I am asked is ‘what do you think is going to happen over the next few months?’. My initial, honest answer is ‘I do not know’. As I don’t. No one does. However, I do feel like I am able to give a relatively informed opinion on what I think is going to happen over the next few weeks/months. So here goes.

I think the next couple of weeks will be very quiet. We will all be waiting to see what the situation will be with removing the restrictions on movement. I do not think we will have a definitive answer, but I do think we will have a better idea of the plan we are working to. Because of this, I think a lot of companies will not be making decisions on recruiting, whether that is interview shortlists, job offers or even job sign-offs. So if you’re currently in the market, do not be too perturbed if the next 2 weeks is very quiet – just stick with it. Keep in regular contact with your chosen consultant or company, but do not worry if there is nothing definitive happening.

After we have a better idea, we will all be able to plan towards things. Whether that be important things like family reunions (or in my case grandparent babysitting duties), seeing friends again or even visiting the pub (I literally can not wait to have a pint in a pub again), we will have a realistic idea of time scales, which we can plan to. Those plans may not come to fruition for another 4-6 weeks, but we will have something to plan around and work towards. This will be reflected in the companies and clients we work with. They will be gearing their business up to manage the transition from now to former normality. This transition will no doubt include the realignment and building of their teams as well as potentially new, restricted ways of working.

I am hoping (praying) that I will be able to work somewhere other than my garage around the 20th of May.

I hope you’re all safe and well. Stay positive, don’t spread false information and stay the fuck inside.

So the novelty of this has most definitely now worn off. The kids are bored. The Mrs is fed up of tidying up for the 437th time of the day. I’m fed up of not having a weekly buffet put on for us.

The absolute miserable weather has most definitely been a contributing factor to the grey mood in the household – I just hope we have a nice weekend we can spend in the garden – that is a lot easier not to tidy up (even though our peeper neighbours give disapproving looks through their blinds at the plastic crap strewn around our garden).

Alas, on to work. I’ve really been trying to think about ways to keep everyone engaged and in contact whilst we’re all in different places and some furloughed. It is a genuine concern and worry of mine that the cohesive and close unit we have built over the past 2 years will drift apart like long-distance lovers inevitably always do. We had a quiz on Wednesday which was won by Mollie on a tie-breaker with Adam. Everyone is much more intelligent than I initially thought and I’m really surprised more of them haven’t got proper jobs.

I’ve offered to pay for a learning course for each person whilst they’re furloughed (the first month is free so the joke is on them – I’m not that generous mwahahaha) to try and keep the brain sharp and to hopefully bring back some new and refined knowledge to the table when this is all over.

We took more jobs on this week, which is absolutely amazing – so if you’re in the market for a new job, check out our jobs page! Dom is doing a stoic job at servicing some fantastic clients, who have a very progressive approach to overcoming the problems we naturally face at this time.

In other news, I attempted to cut my own hair yesterday. I actually used to do this on the reg when I was in my early 20’s. I used to think I did a pretty ok job until I discovered Mehmet at the Turkish barbers – then I realised how much of a plonker I had been looking for the past 3 years. I did learn a valuable lesson though – do not neglect what you can not see. This was a completely unintentional metaphor, but I absolutely butchered the back of my hair. In hindsight, I should have asked for help – but as previously mentioned I’m an alpha bloody male so I don’t need to help (just like doing one trip when carrying the shopping bags in). However, I just look like a terrible version of a Peaky Blinder – like Tommy Shelby’s fat cousin from the home counties.

Anyway, have fun this weekend – try to do something different, but stay home (unless you need to do an essential food shop) and be grateful to our amazing key workers!

So amazing news. I was approached by one of the loveliest guys you will ever meet, Neal Veglio, to appear on his podcast.

Neal produces amazing podcasts on a number of different topics (after you have listened to mine, listen to the rest of his – you will not regret it).

I recorded this in one go (obviously the audio wizz that Neal is inserted all the clips in after), in my stepdaughters bedroom, surrounded by LOL toys and teddies.

Have a listen and let me know what you think (some reassurance that I do not sounds like an absolute nasal mess would be good).

Linky to podcast