Blondes in Business

The wonderful English language

An Ode of English Plurals

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in    England .
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
and a guinea pig is neither from    Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and
get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down,
in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and
in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

They’ve all gone!

The sun, the football, the tennis, my son, my BF, all on holiday currently! The upside to the their absence is that I get time to blog and I've had a burning desire to put down in words my recent thoughts and observations on a couple of sporting events I have seen; The cricket – Live – Yes I was there in person! And the world cup, which I watched primarily in a pub J

Let me start with the cricket, I went to the cricket ground in Bristol to see England play Bangladesh with BF before he buggered off to Ibiza (I am only slightly envious!!)

And here's proof!

Well! What an experience going to watch cricket was! Not as imagined at all!

This was the 2^nd game out of 3 to be played between England & Bangladesh, part of the One Day International series (ODI) we apparently won the first one, and this one - well we lost L

I actually sound as though I know what I'm talking about don't I? Yet 'I know nothing' typed in a Spanish accent!

The truth is I am actually a virgin to watching cricket in the UK – so much so I had to whisper to BF – 'what's an over?' I think he appreciated me whispering that question!

To be honest it seemed to me a bit like rounder's, which I loved at school – but easier as you only have to run between 2 lots of posts, so they have made it a little more complicated, maybe to hold peoples interest – or just to be complicated – I'm not sure. There are a couple of people that may read this blog and now going red and blue in the face!

 
Sorry guys – but I am writing this a little tongue in cheek!

By the way – if you are a cricket virgin too – then an 'over' is 6 goes at bowling the ball and in ODI – you get 50 over's per side and you basically you have to get the other side out by catching them out – or running them out or knocking the little stick off the 3 sticks (a wicket) behind the batsman unless the man in the hat who doesn't run (on this day that could have been most of the England side) says 'Not Out' with them making as few a Rounder's – sorry runs – as possible in the 300 (50 x 6) goes at bowling. Making any sense? Well regardless – my thoughts when writing this blog was not to educate on cricket – clearly J but to comment on the poor performance of the England team vs. the amazing team performance on the Supporters side!

Oh and of course congrats to Bangladesh on this occasion – I was actually pleased you won – you deserved it and England didn't. As you now aware, I am no expert in this game, however it was even obvious to me – that England didn't play well – they dropped balls, had a laid back attitude that was palpable from my seat and it seemed they thought because they had won the first game that this was going to be a doddle and it wasn't.

But the audience was amazing – they were happy, funny, supportive, jovial, worked as a team – incredible. I have never seen such team spirit exercised as when Kiwi – the New Zealander sat in front of us (imaginative nickname!) decided to make a 'Beer Snake' – well if you are like me you will of never of come across such beasts in your life – they are a plastic pint cups stacked as high and as many cups can be collected and then waved – snaked – around, threatening to topple at any moment – and the crowd love it! Brilliant way of recycling and clearing the mess up – or so I think – However the official looking officials in their yellow and orange coats decided this was not allowed! I really don't get why – but they chased Kiwi with his snake! Ooo 'er missus!

Well I have never seen such pulling together against authority (OK I am being flippant here – don't berate me too much) people passed the snake on, when it got captured, new snakes were built, people passed their beer cups and drank up to provide empty ones – it was stunning – a hive of industry – brilliant and VERY funny – well done Kiwi – you are a natural leader!

And I thought then – and this is my point – finally! of this blog – is why do people pull together or not? What makes the difference? There was more camaraderie and working together and communication on the stands then on the pitch and that is where the attention was – even the players were sneaking a look! LOL

However I do believe with all my heart that the England team were sorry and regretted their attitude as the last game of the 3 - England romped home – winning by lots – so what was the problem in that second game – complacency, laziness, cockiness maybe? A harsh lesson learnt for England I would say – losing against the statistically worse team in the series. They were so ashamed, the players sneaked out the back way, so had to be hunted down for pictures and autographs! Yes people still wanted pictures – including BF!

The England Football team didn't seem so ashamed which brings me nicely to our team's attitude and spirit during the World Cup.

Once again I am no expert, but no –one needed to be – the problem was obvious – who to blame is a guessing game and pretty pointless – the outcome was poor team spirit and therefore performance. And unlike the cricketers they didn't seem to be ashamed – they hardly skulked off did they? In fact posing for pictures! Really shocking stories came out – but then you can't always believe what the press say – but the pictures did speak volumes – they didn't care – yet our whole nation did – very sad indeed – to have such privileged positions and to take it to mean very little. Maybe because what impact does winning for England have on their enormous weekly wages – none.

And the sad thing was the nation was gutted – flags came down immediately – no waiting for the world cup to end. It was over for England and we were ashamed – the England football team needs sorting out – and I think I will be more a cricket fan from now on – it was good fun – people dressed up – people laughed, there was talking and chatting amongst the opposing teams – it was fab! I even had my photo taken with a Smurf!

Being in training – the whole team spirit thing obviously caught my attention and there are definitely some lessons to learn here about team performance and maybe there are some 'not – so obvious' questions to ask when considering team performance as well as the obvious:

Let me know what you think….

1. Communication – does it matter if the 'leader' speaks your language fluently?
2. What is the teams' motivation – the real motivation? Pride, Money, working as a team, the outcome?
3. Are we fully aware of how well we communicate via body language, effort, tone of voice, actions?
4. Do we have to be an 'expert' to know what's really going on – do we talk to those that really know and care I.e. employees?
5. What's wrong with having a bit of harmless fun – if it grows team spirit – ask Kiwi!
6. Has Elf (or Smurf) and safety got way out of control?
7. Do I look like I had been drinking all day?

Gorgeous Girls Club

If you could meet on a Friday in a beautiful garden and sit in the sun and eat and chat and do business – wouldn't you?

And if it was 6 gorgeous women, wouldn't you also want to be a fly on the garden wall? ;-)

Conversation was stimulating, sharing of news, exciting and scary, personal and honest; I came away considering myself to be extremely lucky to be welcome and part of such a gathering.

One person always sticks out in my mind at each of our meetings and this one was no exception. Samantha Mant of Mant solutions and threesixty Services was that person this time. Samantha has won a fab new contract implementing and promoting a massive fund raising campaign, based at Dartington Hall, she also had some fabulous personal news at the end of the afternoon which brought a tear to the eye.

We had little Alice – the one in the pink bow join us to! Jake our other furry friend was in hiding for the photo shoot! I expect he was feeling overwhelmed by being the only guy! On that note, you can be underwhelmed and over whelmed - is it possible just to feel whelmed?

Our aim in the GGC is to support one another in all of our endeavours – whether it is personal or business and how a lot of the times the two are connected.

One of the topics we discussed was how running your own business can be brilliant to terrifying! Going from a full time job with a guaranteed salary to being totally responsible for your earnings, your time and your productivity, can be a tad scary!

With the lighter early mornings and evenings as well – your body clock and routine can be greatly challenged – the temptation to enjoy the sun and be distracted by all the summer has to offer can be a difficult one. We all shared how we cope getting and staying in a routine whilst enjoying one of the biggest benefits of being your own boss, freedom and choice and not having a boss! To be fair we are probably all a little too hard on ourselves more than any boss could possibly be!

Jenny (the one on the right) asked us to help promote her Ecological Safari to Swaziland holiday expedition – Wish I could go! It looks amazing – if you know anyone who would love this trip of a lifetime, please feel free to pass on. Jenny was also telling us how well her tweets and Face-book group was growing, reminding us all to do more!! Doesn't she look brown! All that gallivanting off to Vietnam with Famous people no doubt!

I asked for help to find people that would really benefit from hearing how Microsoft, Cisco and Dell have implemented blended and innovative learning solutions – if you know anyone that would benefit please let me know – the link to the event is here – however it is invitation only so anyone interested would need to contact me.

Debs is the one on the left of this picture – and it's all her fault that we get to meet on a regular basis! Debs runs a company called DMM Consulting – and helps companies see where they can make lots and lots of money just by working closer with your current contacts, we all know that it costs 11 times more to get a new client than keep a current one – but we are all not as good as we should be – what is great about Debs is that she walks the talk – hence the GGC! Check her out!

Rebecca (Bex) kindly hosted our get together, she has such a lovely home and she was a fab hostess – home made meringues with strawberries and cream! Bex runs a great company called Rejoove, helping businesses succeed with structured business development – in a nutshell - Bex does all that you know you should be doing to grow the business but don't – when we're all too busy working in the business rather than on it! Bex also is chair of the Bristol Construction excellence and hosted a fab event last month.

Lucy also joined us, great to have her there. Lucy has been madly busy getting her new business off the ground for the last six months and bringing up two little ones – not sure how she does it! Lucy and I are going to get together to discuss how we can work together.

All exciting times ahead!

I can't wait until our next get together, more yummy company, more yummy food with yummy mummys and yummy grandmummys and yummy brides to be!

Fab Stuff day!

It's been a fab day! You know the kind of day that has lots of little good things happen, nothing major just lots of little incidents, experiences, achievements that add up to a fab day!

Audra and I both spent the day working in our offices, chatting on-line, passing each other info, getting the others opinion and only once saying "leave me alone a minute – I'm trying to concentrate"!

I do love that about us, how honest we can be and how we work together, it really is perfect, especially how we do the other things the other hates – me Money stuff, Audra Techie stuff!

So I was updating our website (Techie stuff!) ready for our marketing campaign that goes out on Tuesday, and getting very, very frustrated – I don't do it often enough that it comes easily, it feels like I am learning all over again! I finally got the new webpage up – felt really chuffed! LOL Check it out

Audra was head down, working on updating our Presentation skills PowerPoint and Workbook, it looks great! Plus doing some accounts (money stuff!) So we were both beavering away with our respective dogs in our respective offices who occasionally joined in our banter with loud barks dis-respectively!

Good job we both love dogs! Especially as I occasionally disappear to collect a dog or do a doggy errand in the middle of the day!

I collected a black lab yesterday – Audra named him Hogan! He is gorgeous – you can keep up with his progress on www.dogsfriends.co.uk website, and tell all your mates about the website too! It doesn't matter how far you are away, I had a Dalmatian 2 weeks ago that went to Durham – 4 hours drive away from me! Or you could have a tea party like Audra does to raise money – if you email her I am sure she'll tell you how you can run one!

This afternoon Audra went to London for a meeting and I carried on with stuff! That is until I had a phone call from a friend asking if I wanted to meet up for a bit, so we did. We sat outside in the sun and chatted away about stuff, nice fun chat about life and stuff! Every time I see this person I feel the urge to blog – I don't know why – does that make them my muse? Or was it the vodka and coke!?

I came back to work, feeling a lot more relaxed and carried on for a bit. Walked the dogs, had some tea and now just chilling writing this and waiting for Shameless to come on!

Life doesn't have to be mad and wild to be fab – I must chant that over and over before the weekend gets here and I forget my lesson for the day!

I hope you had a fab day – if not – have one tomorrow J

VCP

I went to an excellent event this week followed by a get together with a friend – and it made me think about relationships, of all types.

I was at the Bristol Constructing Excellence conference down at Bristol waterfront yesterday morning and it was a beautiful day, one for being on the river rather than looking at it through a pane of glass, but hey if I took every glorious day we had off, not much of anything would have been achieved this month – its been fab eh?

Rebecca who has become a friend and colleague over the last few months is the chairman, chairperson, chairwoman whatever you wish to say to be correct or not, led the conference and it was brilliant! Brilliant speakers, brilliant venue, brilliant networking opportunities, it was just…. Brilliant!

I met Rebecca (who runs a fab Business Development company called Rejoove) through a lady called Debs, a lovely, giving, warm and smart American woman, with the gentlest southern drawl you can imagine. Debs put a group of woman together that she thought would get on and work well together and she was right on the button with her choices. We have formed the Gorgeous Girls club – because that is our common denominator! And it is awesome –as Debs would say!

Debs owns a company called DMM Consulting and does a great deal of work in supporting companies reach their goals and one company that she works for is Referral Institute, who we also partner with. Referral Institute basically helps organisations reach their sales goals through working smarter not harder, it's that simple and therefore of course it works!

One of their models is VCP – which is a mnemonic for Visibility, Credibility and Profitability – it describes the process of which good business relationships go through: You become or make yourself visible (network), and if you want the relationship to progress, you show yourself to be credible (prove yourself).

It might help to think of this in terms of a new romantic relationship; you put on the glad rags, hitch up the skirt and apply the lippy to get noticed. Once you have the interest, you tend to want to make yourself credible, men might tell you they drive a Ferrari and women might say … well actually we don't need to say a thing really! Once those two elements are in place it is then likely profitability is an outcome – whatever that might mean!

Through our Gorgeous Girls group we have got to know one another and are going through the VCP model naturally and we have all supported, nagged, challenged, questioned and encouraged each other in our business endeavours; one of the supporting outcomes was the attendance of the conference.

Rebecca used VCP in her opening speech, this time standing for Values, Communication and Passion – all key themes throughout the day for the conference.

My afternoon was topped off with a relationship progression too, not work related, but one that I think went through the process of VCP of both Debs and Rebecca's definitions. The outcome was and is profitability – a stronger, more honest and a better understanding of one another – all relationships that survive and grow and flourish have to have their challenges too, it's never all plain sailing eh? But how nice that would be! But the hiccups are the test. So whatever relationship you are in – what is the status?

Are you visible in a good way and do you share values?

Are you credible and deserve it through communicating?

Are you in profit, emotionally and/or financially? Is it passionate, strong?

Mark yourself out of 10 on those three questions on all key relationships and then you can see where and what focus is needed – because at home, work and play, we are all where we are today due to the relationships we have today and those that have passed.

I for one, am very, very, very, very grateful for each and every single one of my relationships, and looking forward to the new ones that will come my way – because right now I have my own definition of VCP, which I hope continues = Very Cool People!

 

Are you all caught up?

There is so much to catch up on – all the time eh? So first of all how are you? Are you all caught up – maybe in a tangle? May it be a work knot or a love knot – we all have things that are a tad complicated and knotty in our lives – so how do we cope?

Escapism is a great option in whatever form you wish that to take – a good book, a good bottle of red, a long walk or jumping on a plane.

Audra and I are lucky enough to have the option of all those and use them all frequently! Today Audra landed back in the UK after what sounds a fantastic time in New York – we have been promised a blog – so watch this space and today I leave the UK for Dubai – and I am seriously glad to be off to somewhere warm, to see my friends and to earn some money and to leave my tangles behind, get some space, clear my head and hope that when I return that everything is a little less knotty!

So what if you can't escape – how do you then cope?

Tip 1) Write, write, write! Journal, write a blog, write a song, write a letter – just get it all down and out of your head – it really is amazing how it helps and what is more wonderful is when the tangle is past – as everything does pass, you can look back and reflect and be really glad that we have our tangles – for life would be SO boring without them – so go on – get out pen and paper or sign up for a blog check out www.typepad.com – you can make it private – no-one ever needs to read or even know your inner, deepest thoughts, but you can get to know yourself and relieve yourself of a tangled mind.

Tip 2) Forgive yourself – knots are often self made as well as circumstantial – but what is done is done – so forgive yourself, move on and try and do what is right

Tip 3) A things to do list – oh how I love these! Yes back to writing – but it's the ticking off the items on the list that is so satisfying! You know you are getting somewhere, moving forwards – Fab!

Tip 4) Meditate – ever tried it? Have a go – switch everything off, phone, music, guarantee not to be disturbed – lie on your bed and breathe slowly and deeply, let every out breath take away your tangles and let every in breath bring you peace

Tip 5) Apparently exercise is a good way to relive stress and tangled minds – but if like me the gym is not an option – go for a walk and look up ""May I never miss a sunset or rainbow because I am lQQking down."– notice what is around you, or my favourite - Dance! Turn up the volume and close the curtains, make an arse of yourself privately and enjoy!

I saw this when out walking the dogs – look closely and you can see TWO rainbows!

Which reminds me of the poem that ends like this;

So, Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt and
Dance Like no one's watching

For the full version click here

We will always have tangles self made or otherwise – but life is for living and not for when's, if's or buts.

This has really helped me feel less tangled – hope it helps you J

What a week!

Well we are well and truly back into it this week – no rest for the wicked! We only have ourselves to blame…

Audra and I have been like passing ships in the night, grabbing snippets of time to catch up, discuss and agree what, how and when, madness!

Between us we've managed to cope with:

• Accounts! Don't you just love January!
• Presentation skills Delivery
• Speeches
• Course development
• Book promotion
• Sue's grandson taken into hospital with suspected meningitis
• Last minute proposals
• Last minute bookings to Dubai
• Trip to the Vets – not good news L
• Client Meetings
• Partner Meetings
• Don't even go there with emails and phone calls!!!

And to end it all, Sue is sat in her office on a Friday night, because her son Sam has about 10 mates over! So in hiding, only going out for the occasional refilling of the glass! Not sure what Audra is up to but she's not answering the phone – its Me Audra not Him! On that note, we won't go there on what we have had to cope with personally this week – but let's say it has been emotional, painful and exciting!

Sat here listening to the fun happening in the front room and kitchen, I can now understand why my son of 17 doesn't want Nanny and Granddad to stay when I go to Dubai!

I love being a Blonde in Business! Oh forgot to add cooking, cleaning and decorating to the list of accomplishments!

It's been therapeutic to write this blog, we have done loads! And its now only just dawned on me just how much – if you want to send us your accomplishments for this week, or just do it for yourself – you'll be pleasantly surprised no doubt! If not – get off you're a** and get on with it!

Have a fab weekend!

Keeping our promise

of a more regular blog! Pat on the back please.....

Its that time of year for new beginnings and promises, we have started well here at Your Impact- the blonde's having been working hard to start off as we mean to go on and everyone else seems up for fresh starts and kicking 2010 into touch - so all good!

Our channel partners are all raring to go and chasing opportunities and getting ready for the year ahead.

Audra and I have been working on the content for the Retail Trust rework programme and are really excited about it - check it out -and if you know of anyone who is in retail, they can attend for free so spread the word - send them the link or get them to call  the Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808 to book their place.

On the personal side, things have be - shall we say - interesting! My daughter and the baby and boyfriend moved into their flat on Tuesday, fortunately we made it in time before the snow really settled! Its a fab flat and they have already got it looking really nice - so a new start for them and also for Sam and I - we are now the only two in the house - so very quiet and tidy and peaceful and we're loving it!

So we've changed the front room around, we start decorating next week so I can move back into my home office now its no longer a baby's room and Sam gets a mini bachelor pad - so all new and exciting starts for 2010.

Poor Audra has not had such a fab start - she has been very poorly and actually lost her voice - so its been quiet on that front too! She's feeling much better so I can tease a little!

I'm off to London tomorrow for work and play - so will update you on my return!

Hope you are all getting into your new habits - will they last till March? Hope so!

 

back to it........

Hard to get back into it when the rest of the UK seems to still be off! However it has meant three brilliant things as far as I am concerned: 1) I love the snow - it makes my awful garden look really pretty and the dogs dont get covered in mud each walk! 2) I have time to get organsied - clean desk and office and goals all written and started and 3) I have been able to ease myself into being sober during the day and cut back on the remaining Christmas cheeses!

If you want some help in setting your goals this year we have just uploaded a simple system that might just get you going: Your PPP simple enough for Blondes!

We are really excited this year - lots and lots going on - new partnerships, new opportunites and lots of new work and exciting projects with old - sorry - established customers - our fav's!

One of our goals this year is to update this blog more often! We have been truely remiss and many, many apologies - we will try harder! We think short little updates will be more achieveable them mammoth monologues - so that's the plan!

Tomorrow is a momentous day - my youngest daughter is moving out for the very first time into her own flat! So I am van driver tomorrow and chief tea and coffee maker - wish us luck and that the weather doesn't do what the MET office tells us it is meant to do - but then I am not too worried as the MET office predictions have been a little 'off' - a mild winter my ****!

Audra is off poorly today - she spent the weekend rowing and on the beach - yes you read right - rowing and on the beach - so now is full of cold :( Positive vibes please for a fast and full recovery by Wednesday - she's got work to do!

So signing off now - I am going to make this my official last wish of a Happy New Year to you!

Rock on 2010 - we have things to do!

Audra's Birthday

Oh we have been VERY bad at keeping up the blog - slapped wrists! But what a corker to come back with - Audra's birthday!

Audra likes her birthday - even though she probably should be shying away a bit from them now! And she tells EVERYONE! Fab idea - I'm going to do that this year - because you get LOADS of cards, pressies, drink, chocolate and visitors and you get to go out in ridiculous outfits!

So Monday 19th is the actual date but celebrations started much earlier! Friday I went down to Deal and whilst Audra was making her way back from Holland, having had a successful time business wise, Her Mum - Mad Mel kindly looked after me - picked me up from the station, fed and watered me and when Audra did get home we ended up staying up till 2 ish chatting and drinking and generally having a girlie time - boy talk, work talk, dog talk - mainly boy talk, because Audra has a love interest!!! More on that in a later blog ...................

Saturday we had our traditional Saturday routine, starts at the chocolate shop who are selling our book and had an order to place! Had hot chocolate and a brownie -well actually 2! Then a potter around the shops, a halfway stop at the pub for a coffee and a brandy ( medicinal purposes - it was cold on the seafront!) then off home to get ready for the NIGHT OUT!

Annemieke our good friend and trainer thought it would be a good idea to go dressed in 70's outfits - let me just explain - there was not a 70's night to go out to - not a 70's party, no themed night at a pub, just lets wear 70's gear! Well what a laugh..............take a look!

 
 And can you believe Annemieke ( the one in the blonde wig on the left ) she went into Sainsbury's dressed like that!! Caused mayhem - looking for blue eyeshadow, I didn't even know Sainsburys sold blue eyeshadow - did you?

About 8 of us went out - We had a great night as you can imagine - peed off a few people with our requests for Dancing queen and other 70's favs! But hey - we had a good night! We had a tad too much to drink and ended up in a night club - where I decidedly felt like a dancing Gran and Audra kept telling people that her outfit was a joke and she didn't really dress like this! Its the cab driver I always feel for on these nights!

Sunday was one of recovery, a walk along the beach and a delicious and much needed brunch at Rowena's ( there is a theme here - all Audra's friends and family feed me when I come down  - as they know Audra won't!) She has this plague in her kitchen as a joke!

She also had one that says " I have a kitchen because it came with the house" and oh its so true!!

So the actual Birthday morning arrives - with a pile of cards and pressies to be opened!

Audra had the day off, I worked hard at keeping the company afloat in her absence and just about managed when everyone from all over descended to wish Audra a happy birthday - more gifts and cards arrived and chocolate cake  - thank you Caz - delicious! It was a fab birthday with lots of laughter and stories and silliness - roll on the next one!

Differences

Today has highlighted again just how different we all are, countries in particular – obvious I know but I have some observations….

Last week I was in Dubai and it was Ramadan, I know that also here in the UK people observed Ramadan, but in Dubai you had no choice, it was the law; no eating, drinking, smoking during daylight hours – a tough call! However if you were out of the public eye or anyone's eye that would be offended by non compliance – then you could sneak to the staff kitchen and have a sneaky cup of coffee and there was even tents with fans for smokers – out of the public eye.

It amazes me how well you can adapt when needed, although I never personally managed to go all day without a caffeine hit, food I could cope – caffeine I could not.

I was training for 5 days during Ramadan and although not the most ideal situation to be trained in or be a trainer, we managed! The brain needs to be hydrated to fully concentrate, and a good night sleep helps – but with late night eating and late night and early morning prayers for the delegates observing Ramadan it was incredibly difficult – but we all got through!

What struck me very forcibly today is how here in the UK we try to accommodate all religions – and of that I am proud – yet have we taken it one step too far in our urge to be politically correct and our desire to accommodate all? I have no issue in embracing all differences – non whatsoever – but what me is; do our urges and desires sometimes outweigh our need to do what is best – in the business sense I aim this question.

Let me explain why I am asking this; today I registered on a UK government website to be notified of appropriate tenders. One of the questions was about our sexual orientation – were we a company led by Gay, lesbian or bi-sexual owners? Were we a company owned and led by women? There were a whole host of other options but these are the two that struck me most. What an earth difference does it make of the ability of the company to do the job well? I can of course understand that company's ran by women(especially blondes!)  might get special consideration – we are smart, multi tasking, have the ability to empathise, see beyond the facts, use our intuition etc – but how we enjoy the sexual side of our life?? Come on – what difference does that make?

So let's take this scenario – I might be straight and married but have some perverse sexual deviances – where there is no option for on the form – does that make me more likely to win or lose the work or be able to do the work well?

Can I make a small suggestion to the UK government – dare I? I know that you want statistics, fair enough – so why not give the work on the merits of the tender, the ability to do the job and THEN ask for the details of our sex lives for your statistics – as I am still completely oblivious to why that matters up front.

I know the UK government have targets to meet – and a % of all contracts should be won by the minorities (wrong or right it's a fact) – so let's take this scenario – you have had a lack of bidders that have stated they are Gay – then one finally states they are - do they win the next piece of work because they are and no one else is? How does it work? How does how I have sex relate to how I work? I am really and truly confused!

All I do know is that we are all different, we think differently, we eat differently, we worship or believe in different gods, and that is fab – what a boring world it would be otherwise! I am really grateful that we are all different – that everyone in each company is different – should we question our employees so that we can be an honourable multi cultural and sexually diverse company? I don't think so – I think we should all be judged on our ability to do the job not our sexual preferences - come on UK! We love living in a diverse country but one that has lost all of its common sense? No- No-No- No – reward those that can do the job – then maybe the job will get done and then we can all knock off early on a Friday and enjoy our weekend in which ever way we swing .