On this years vision board (I’ve used them for the past 5 years now to help focus on the WHAT, WHY and HOW) for both personal and professional goals) was getting invited to speak at the London Excel arena. 

I was saw Anthony Robbins speak there many years ago, and was so inspired that one person (not a band or a football club) but one person could have such an inspirational story to share that an arena the size of London Excel was required to hear him speak!

Well, on 11 May 2016, I’m keynote speaker at the National Office Conference/Exhibition at London Excel Arena! You see, if we have clear plans, clear goals, and we postulate! ANYTHING is possible!

I’ve recently been asked to comment to the PR team promoting the event, and rather than just share my answers with them, I thought a lot of this is highly relevant to all, so please see below the questions asked any answers to them!

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career?

Although I was never a great reader throughout my education, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt as an adult and especially as an Entrepreneur is the need for continual self development.
The biggest influence in my career has been three books (and their authors)

These three books and applying the learnings from within have been fundamental in the change in mindset required to go on to buy, acquire or set up 4 of my own businesses as well as be invited to sit, as I do now on the non-exec board for a print management company and trustee of a national charity.

What has been your single biggest challenge in your career?

Other peoples limiting beliefs!  I originally enjoyed a successful career as a Frontline Advanced Trauma Medic in the British Army, until a series of ‘incidents’ deemed I was medically discharged suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) I was exceptionally fortunate to have received the help and support  of the forces charity COMBAT STRESS to learn how to manage the condition. 
However, despite having good qualifications, great experience and an exceptional work ethic, although I was interviewed nearly 200 times for employment from having left, the words PTSD and MENTAL HEALTH were too much for every employer leaving me ‘unemployable’. Feeling as if I had no other option that to become self employed quickly moved from curse to blessing which has enabled me to achieve the global success I have done since then!
My Ethical Coaching Company – My TrueNORTH was born more of a philosophy to help others realign and recalibrate their businesses to meet with their personal life goals, and we’ve made it our mission to help as many open minded and dedicated business leaders as possible to enable this. 

How important are PAs/EAs in the modern business world?
ESSENTIAL. I simply couldn’t operate at the level I do without my EA, she’s fundamental to all my businesses and I couldn’t operate fully without her.  Finding the RIGHT VA/PA/EA is equally important, and I’ve had a few prior to finding ‘Becci’ to ensure we have the right relationship the same ethics and outlook, to enable me to have the absolute trust I have in her.
Within my keynote at Office 2016, I’ll be presenting “Battlefield 2 Boardroom, The road to Utopia” and one of the fundamental lessons to take from the presentation is the importance of business leaders to STOP working In to work ON the business.  This is simply not possible without the right ‘back office’ support to enable the freedom to be able to do so, and key to all of this is a strong PA/EA.
 
Signed copies of my National Publishers Award winning book “Battlefield2Boardroom, 10 proven strategies to combat mediocrity” shall be on sale at Office 2016 (of which the proceeds are donated to the Armed Forces Charity COMBAT STRESS) 

What advice would you give PAs who want to take their career up a notch?
Two quotes: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always have, what you’ve already got” If you WANT something different, you have to be willing to DO/BE something different! and very similar to this “If you aspire to be at the very top in any profession, you first have to differentiate yourself from everybody else at the bottom! ONLY then can you truly ascend – Warren Buffet” There’s another great book by John Galloway called “Category of one” and it helps business owners understand how to implement this Warren Buffet lesson.  Don’t become A PA, An Office manager, A anything, learn how to become THE EA, THE Office Manager. I have a great line for you to remember in this regard,…….but you’ll have to be in the room and hear my keynote to learn that!…….

What can visitors expect to take away from your Keynote session? 

I’m a firm believer and subscriber to the concept ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. We never thought man would ever walk on the moon, until he did! The only thing stopping any of us achieving all we desire is our own limiting beliefs as to how to make it possible.  My keynote is all about turning IMPOSSIBLE into I’m POSSIBLE its about challenging us all to think differently about WHAT we do, HOW we do, WHY we do to deliver success NOW.
It will help everyone to review their own purpose and ensure their business is calibrated to deliver on this, so you can love what you do, by doing what you love!
This is NOT a ‘ZEN spiritual motivation’ keynote, its packed full of practical help and support to help people unblock whatever is holding them back from success and fulfilment.

What are you looking forward to most at office* 2016?
2 things: Professionally I love what I do.  To be in to be able to share content with an audience who can leave with a clear plan of what to do in order to achieve everything they want is such a privilege, and at Office the audience are the key to success for the innovators and thought leaders of the current and next generation.
Personally: It was on my 2016 vision board to return and speak at the London Excel again this year, and to work more closely with Office managers to share with them my coaching philosophy regarding ensuring your business meets your personal requirements in order you can love what you do, what doing what you love!