Raspberry Tea PodChat

This is the 100th episode of the Raspberry Tea podchat. And, its our last. This is a really positive move for us, and we hope you'll see it as that too. Hear what we've loved about our podcasting experience, what we hope you've enjoyed... and what we're all up to next. Thank you for being with us on our journey.

Whether its images of you or your logo, they all represent your brand. Keeping your brand consistent with your personal image is a great trick if you can manage it so that you don't drastically have to change when representing your business. Of course, we end up talking about all sorts of things linked to image, colour analysis, dress and hair style and much, much more... but its why you love our podchats isn't it!

January is a strange month. Some people come out of the 'traps' and sprint ahead. Others warm up gently. As Jo would ask, are you going to be a tortoise or a hare this year? There isn't a right or wrong, it all comes down to what's best for you. Out of the three of us we have a tortoise, a hare, and a hare who is going to try to be a tortoise... can you guess who is who?

Oh my goodness.... from wombles, to eye surgery, to puppies, to comedians, to humour in general... this podchat wanders all over the place... if you want a giggle this week then this is the only thing you'll need to listen to. Two out of the three of us are incapable of speech by the end... this really is one not to miss.

Blue Monday - no way... its Raspberry Monday.... The second week in January is traditionally a week people tend to feel a little fed up. Christmas is out of the way. The weather's rubbish. Its dark and cold and payday can seem a long time away. But, its also the start of a brand new shiny year and chapter in everyone's life and business. So, how do we all pull ourselves up when we realise we're feeling a little blue? Here's how the three of us do it.

Do you set yourself up for a fail with New Year's resolutions or goals which are just impossible to achieve? Or do you plan carefully and thoroughly? Do you know what you want to achieve this year but can't put timescales on how or when, as there are too many variables? We all do it differently... but the one thing we all ensure is that if life happens and things change, we're kind to ourselves. What plans and goals do you have for 2022?

Christmas food, traditions, advent calendars.... what are you up to this year? Are you a business owner who doesn't get to go to a Christmas party, or do you go to an organsied one or maybe you get together with other business owners and have your own? And of course... Yorkshire puddings!!! Do they belong on a Christmas dinner or not??? Oh its the most wonderful time of the year...

If you're not sitting in front of someone, just how do you put your personality over? After all, people buy from people don't they! Nicky Pattinson is the absolute authority in how to make someone feel as though they're immediately in your inner circle and want to buy/do business with you. But be warned - shes addictive! And if the last two years have got to you and you're not sure who you are any more, just check out what online and in person workshops Nicky has coming up.

When do you put the tree up? Do you shop early or late? Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner or not? Brandy or rum sauce? Every family does Christmas differently don't they. Traditions are formed ... but sometimes we have to change them due to outside forces. A very frank chat about all things Christmas!

The good, bad and the ugly. Group coaching or 1-2-1? We've experienced them all. Can international coaching work? One of us doesn't like being told what to do or being held accountable, so coaching is more or less a no no... but hiring a consultant who will look at the individual business and the owner's preferences and tailor the service to them may just be the right solution. This podchat is a fantastic summary of business coaching and what to consider before jumping in.

Are you someone who is inspired by everything around you? One of us is. Or do you feel inspiration in certain settings outdoors? Do other people inspire you to do better, or form new ideas for yourself and your business? We're all very different with our inspiration - creativity - ideas... whatever your want to call it and, believe it or not, even an 8 foot tall bear can inspire!

The three of us have all had surgery - some elective and some emergency... In the worst case scenario there's been a complete change of business, but, in the main, surgery has led to slight adjustments to how we work for a short period. Illness can be slightly more disruptive if its sudden - particularly over the last couple of years!. What's your experience been like? (Sorry about the giggling - we do enjoy ourselves recording these podchats for you!)

We all love a good laugh, its good for our health. But why do people make jokes in the darkest moments? If people make fun of themselves is it out of insecurity or self-assurance? How come some people are just funny and other's really not? And, what does life experience have to do with what we find funny?

Your age may well define your understanding of climate change. The younger you are the more you are likely to understand. We were once told to use as little electricity as possible - now we're told to power our cars with it. We were once told to buy diesel vehicles, now they're going to be banned. Do we really have the facts around climate change?

People can see you as being confident even when you feel like a nervous wreck! So, the question is... is confidence an inside job or just what others perceive of you?

Do you simply post what you want to on social media without thought, are you either careful because of what someone might think, or are you deliberately disruptive and controversial and not care what anyone thinks? Do you only post positive aspects of your life? Or do you show it 'warts and all'? Does how people perceive you matter?

You hear it a lot don't you. If you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work! And it's very true. But sometimes it's not what you actually do but the outcome for others that's your driver. And, if you're stuck in a job just to pay the bills at the moment, we give you our suggestions for changing your situation.

Jo and her mum have gone through a nightmare with a contractor at their new house. Clare had a nightmare with her caravan. How you handle situations whether business, personal, or material goods, will have a massive impact on your life and sometimes you have to stop punishing yourself because others have caused a situation.

Being in control of our own minds is so much easier than understanding what the latest software update is going to do... so why do we hear so often "its just who I am"... "oh you know what Im like". Well no actually. You decide your every action and so keeping your mind positive, fresh and updated is essential.

Changing the format of your email signature, implementing a booking link to your diary, taking social media out of your day... there are so many ways to make small changes that make a HUGE difference to your working day. Here are some of ours. What are yours?

Ooo this is good! Yes, you should always do your best at school, but remember that exam results don't really have much bearing on what you can achieve in life. From a parent's responsibility to encourage. Through to listening skills and being able to hold a conversation. One action packed podchat!

Depending on your stage of business and the size of your business, how you fit business development in may vary - BUT it is vitally important you never take your eye off the ball... even when you have so much work on it feels overwhelming. We have different ways of implementing time to work on the business - and we've all tried different strategies at different times, some that worked and some that really didn't! At the moment we all feel like what we're doing at the moment is working for us as individuals - but who knows how long that will last!

Why, as adults, do we limit our enjoyment and achievements? Puppies are always happy, always go for what they want. They show their emotions without fear. They will try and try again to get what they want. They don't care if they have a bad hair day. They don't care what they look like and whether their friends look like them, are smaller or bigger, are a different colour or have longer or shorter fur. We should be more like puppies!

We all once networked in person and then suddenly it stopped! Some people took to the online meetings and others were never seen again. Now the option of both is available which camp do you sit in? All face-to-face? All online? Or a hybrid approach with a little bit of both? It's quite interesting that whilst we all end up in the same place, its for quite different reasons!

Over the last year or so many businesses have had to adapt... but will the one's that haven't survive now things are opening back up? With families investing in pub sheds and used to entertaining at home, will local pubs who don't have a food offering remain open? Collaboration seems the best way to go, but will local business owners have that foresight to look into possibilities?

Are you someone who can totally switch off from your business and then back on again at the drop of the hat? Or does it take time for you to wind down and then get back into it after a holiday? And, what about holidays over the next couple of years - will you be taking any? Do you need to get away to completely switch off - or do you still check your phone and emails? Its so interesting how people are so different.

Oh wow! This is our thing. Whether its images, words, SEO, educational content, promotional content... we could talk for days on this (you'll be pleased to know we didn't - in fact, we were quite concise for us!) Why is content so important? What purpose does content have? And, why shouldn't tell people what you want to! Platforms... repurposing... gosh we cover the lot!

Jo is now officially known as the Midlife Clarity Coach. Corporate life left Jo feeling like she didn't really know who she was anymore and she's been on a journey of self discovery for the last 18 months... now she's ready to launch herself into the world doing what she knows is the right path for her, helping others along the way. Don't worry though she's still with Raspberry Flamingo and these podchats.

This podchat is THE perfect example of distractions - it was supposed to be about managing distractions at work and somehow puppies kept making an appearance! Are distractions bad? Not necessarily. Should you avoid them at all costs? Not necessarily. Some will be out of your control and so its all about how you respond rather than trying to control.

One of us doesn't sleep well at all... the other two have their own patterns... how does sleep affect us in our everyday lives? If you're tired can you speak normally? Do you crave certain foods? Can you nap or have a lie in? And where does alcohol come in all this??? What a topic!

Over the last year the price of puppies has gone through the roof. Rescues are getting hundreds of applications for each dog. For those families genuinely looking for a dog to join them right now, its tough! But will all this change as people head back into the office and are able to go on holiday again? Hear our experiences as two of us have been looking for a rescue dog.

Many business owners consider their brand to be their company's logo - but that imagery is simply one tiny element of what makes up your brand. Clare F is a branding expert and works with clients in the UK and globally. If you're interested in developing your businesses brand in a positive and consistent way, then this is a podchat you can't afford to miss!

Depression and anxiety are something we've experienced at different times of life, for different reasons. One of us long term. Its fabulous to think the world has changed drastically now - in terms of mental health being much more widely understood... but the pandemic has highlighted issues for many people who may not have felt they've suffered in the past. A very honest chat about our experiences...

Some people are naturals in front of the camera, whilst others really aren't. Its not necessarily about how you look or if you feel the image or video is good... for some people its about being out there for the world to see. All three of us have very different feelings on this one - its not a therapy session honestly - even though Claire feels like it is...

Most people have done it... let someone push the boundary only to find that they push it even further the next time! How important is it that as individuals or businesses that we keep our own interests and values and not let someone influence them? But what happens if the other party has no interests and doesn't want any personal space? And if it comes to it, is it easier to get end a business relationship than a personal one?

Strategic partnerships with other business types, collaborations with similar businesses, and service swaps - do you do them? Many people are wary - sometimes for good reason... But they can all be of great advantage to your business growth if handled correctly. Is the competition really competition? Does it all come down to your mindset? Is it different for different types of business and the stage of growth its in? There's never just one angle to anything is there! Join us as we chat it all through!

Do you love To Do lists or hate them? Do you have a top level goal list or a broken down task list? How do you feel if you don't achieve everything you set out to do? Are you easily distracted? We all have very different approaches to lists and organisation - and of course the chat goes onto working patterns, away from to do lists - but is brought back swiftly into line by Clare F! Hands slapped!

Packaging your products or services can be great for the customer - they're easy to buy and they know exactly what they're getting. But sometimes the package can be too rigid. However, looking at it from the other side - if the package doesn't fit then perhaps you're not that businesses ideal client! The approach to packages can depend on the size of the business - for example, broadband/phone/tv companies have a VERY different approach to an SME. Do you love or hate having to choose a package?

The fear of failure is acknowledged... you can sense it, you worry what others will think of you... its a conscious thought pattern. However, the fear of success feels unnatural - why on earth would you fear achieving what you know you want to achieve??? What you've set your sights on. That vision you can see so clearly in your head. Well, it turns out its a sub-conscious thought pattern you don't even know you're experiencing. You may even have achieved the success you were looking for but still fear it - causing you to self sabotage and destroy your own success! No one wants that. We should all be as successful as we wish to be.

You may know what you should do, but its not always easy to actually do it. From pets to people ... business relationships to personal... Sometimes doing the right thing can break your heart and sometimes it could lead to you being worried about what others will think of you. Claire has a 'what if?' rule to help make those big pivitol decisions that could go either way... Do you always find it easy to do the right thing?

The Sarah Everard case has highlighted this issue massively. Positive conversations are happening between men about appreciating the feelings of women being out alone. Are there ways women can feel safe? Should women need to take precautions or change their behaviour to remain safe? Will men crossing the road rather than walking behind a lone woman, or approaching her directly, help that woman feel safe? Is there an answer at all? We don't believe there's a one solution to fit all. So many different things come into play including the area you live in, the time of day/night, etc.

That interview! Taking all the 'is it true', 'is it not true' questions out of it ... what does it boil down to? Two things: the British press and the fact that the royals are not allowed to be a normal family and are not looked after in the way they should be. Controversial? Some people will agree with our views and some won't. We try and look at it from every angle but there will be angles we have no idea even exist because we are only shown what the media (yes even the Oprah interview was edited and not live) want us to see!

Music has played a massive part in many people's lives. It can lift spirits, it can remind of us of the past, it can be reflective and it can bring joy. In this podchat we discuss concerts (good, bad and the ugly), what music means to us, and more. How countryside and birdsong can relax us. So many different things can make you relax.

We're not talking being selfish or treading on others to get what you want... more the fundamentals of knowing that you're a good person and finding little pockets of time for yourself. Will life ever throw anything at you which you can't handle? We don't believe it will for a number of reasons. If you're currently struggling with your situation, for whatever reason, this may just help raise your spirits and turn things around little by little.

How do you want to grow old? Gracefully or dis-gracefully. Do you want to go out quietly or making as much of a mark as you can? And... why is it older people appear to have no filter on what they say nor do they seem to care about how it affects those around them? This episode talks about the big events to come as we age, hair colour, funeral music... it would probably be easier to tell you what this episode doesn't talk about!

What is chemistry when it comes to two people meeting? Does it mean different things to different people? This podchat proves that it does. Is chemistry different for different types of relationships; romantic, personal, business? Have you ever really considered what chemistry is for you? Is it looks? Do looks matter? Is it personality? Does personality matter in a business relationship? Or are relationships, as Clare believes, a mixture of chemistry, physics and biology!

Whether its in person or in business, we grow when we step out of our comfort zones... but excuses can be created for anything. You can reason in your mind all the reasons you shouldn't do something - now or at all. But you have to recognise that they're excuses and have a word with yourself. However... what happens when they might not be excuses and its genuinely because the time isn't right? If you believe in Spirituality or the Law of Attraction then you will believe things will happen at the right time for you... so do you just sit back and wait?? And... how is Jo stepping out of her personal comfort zone tomorrow (or is that a different podchat completely??!!)

There's a bit of "woo" involved in this, but we don't think anyone could argue that every situation we deal with in life is temporary. he bad times certainly don't last and the good change too. There's nothing more certain in life than change happens... its how you deal with it that counts!

Most people have to start over at some point in life, whether it be personal or business. The three of us? Well we've probably all started over more times than most... but do you know what, Its lead us to where we are right now and that's amazing!