I have for some time spent a large proportion of my time career counselling people, helping individuals to evaluate their career options, choose their next steps and prepare themselves by establishing a clear plan for development and achievement. The benefits of such an approach help individuals make the right choices for the future, have the confidence and reassurance that this is absolutely the right next step and why and be fully prepared for making it a success. In previous years this has often been targeted at people who are seen as talent within an organisation and helping them take control of their future, or for people who have actively sought help to influence their future career direction.
With the recent events in market and trading conditions, I have found myself in a position more and more frequently offering this advice to people facing redundancy, sometimes for the 2nd or 3rd time in their career. What has made this even more taxing, is that in many cases the individuals find themselves considering taking on a complete career change as their industry has shrunk and they find themselves facing vastly reduced options.
What has been so rewarding – and has provided me with the highlights for 2009, are the number of people we have helped who have now, as a direct result, moved into drastically different careers utilising their strengths, transferrable skills and most importantly key motivators and interests. There is nothing more rewarding for me than to receive a phone call or email from someone who is on the highest cloud because they find themselves in a new business opportunity and what’s more it is something that they are passionate about. I so often hear “I was so down and depressed 6 months ago, now I am so happy, I wish I had done this years ago, it doesn’t feel like work it’s just what I want to be doing, I am having so much fun ….”
I have always believed that if you are lucky enough to combine an interest, passion or hobby with what you choose as a career, you will excel. One of the first things I try and explore with people when I am career counselling them is
“what do you get passionate about”
“what are your core values and beliefs”
“when you are tired at the end of the evening, yawning and wishing the last guests would leave, what subjects instantly wake you up, you roll up your sleeves, pour another glass of wine and are in the middle of a passionate debate, no longer tired and now no one can shut you up?”
People who do manage to combine their core values, passions and beliefs with their career are the lucky ones, it is no longer a job, they are energised, enthusiastic, driven, inspiring, contagious in their beliefs and ideas.
When I started discussing this business opportunity with Debra and Louise I was instantly hooked in. For anyone who enjoys wine, has the drive to manage their own business and be their own boss and enjoys interacting with people will make this a huge success. The business case stacks up and speaks for itself. I am passionate about helping develop people and enabling them to maximise their potential, we at Merchants of Vino will provide all of the business start up training and support anyone will need. They are effectively buying a business in a box – what perfect timing for so many people I know in a difficult job market.
Anyone who knows me, will not be surprised at my involvement, it combines my passions in life – helping people succeed and WINE !!!! How could I not be hooked??
Today we are visiting a very special vineyard and having a guided tour around a remarkable winery
I am so happy that we have launched Merchants of Vino at long last. It has been a fun and exciting journey choosing our first wines and hope that you enjoy them every bit as much as we do!
I love what I do! I’m a business and marketing strategist which may sound a bit dull to some of you reading this post but I can honestly say, I really love my work, serving my clients to help them grow stronger and more profitable businesses.
