Self assurance and leadership

There's things I've worked out at 55, that I should have figured many years ago. But self-confidence and self-assurance are difficult to learn. We've all known people who have that gift. Kids at school who could have a conversation or lead a discussion, when I couldn't string a sentence together. Another youth who could just get up on stage and do a turn, at an age when I would rather the earth opened and swallowed me whole. During our working career we meet people who can inspire us, and show us ways out of the fog we've found ourselves in. People who can get to the essence of the matter, and navigate us to a better place. Is this skill about nature or nurture? Probably, both!

Look at this clip of The Animals in 1965. Forget about recording quality, sync and techie issues, just listen to the music and watch the band. The lead singer Eric Burdon is 24. He knows who he is, what he is doing, why he is singing a song made famous by Nina Simone, how to present himself as a recording artist, and how to move when being filmed. He understands the media he's working in, and he's not rushed. Plus it's a great song and he's got a great voice. He has that confidence in his ability and he's the coolest man on the planet.

Look at the others in the group. Startled rabbits, embarrassed by the artifice of this situation. Not sure where to look, how to mime, hoping the song will soon be over. And Eric, the diminutive singer, is their leader. Understanding the moment, acting a role, making a true performance out of their rendition of the song.

Chas Chandler, the tall bass player, gave up playing at 28 when the Animals split in 1966. He fancied himself as a manager, realising that was where his abilities lie. He crossed the Atlantic to look for new talent and found another self assured 24 year old - Jimi Hendrix.

Leadership and management. Making things happen. And what can we do today? If you want an example of the here and now, look no further than the 18 September Colchester Free Festival. One guy (Ben Howard) has an idea. He tests the water, and builds up a team to deliver the event. He has lots of experience and enthusiasm, and a talented and committed team, sufficient to face up to the obstacles encountered when trying anything different and new.

And it's a superb success. Self assurance and leadership - priceless. We can learn from watching these people.

Big Swifty Entertainments - Fred Slattern

As a society, how do we respond to the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review? Party on....

Nationally, the festival scene is getting bigger and bigger, and it's certainly the case in Colchester too. As so many public sectors will be taking a hit this autumn, Big Swifty Associates need to diversify, and we shamelessly climb on the arts/ culture/ tourism/ entertainment bandwagon. There's a thriving scene in Colchester, led by some bright, interesting and dedicated individuals. An event that has caught our attention is the Colchester Free Festival on 18 September 2010.

Playing our part, we are involved in bunting production in the run in to the event, and on the day will help with the Knit and Natter stall, the Children's area, and I will be a "green policeman" helping keep the place tidy and re-cycling. And it's all hands on deck for the big clear-up, so that Castle Park is handed back in good condition.

And Big Swifty Associates are also promoting an act. It's FRED SLATTERN - SLUM POET and his show “love, hate and prettygate”. Fred is Colchester’s “x for no publicity” slum poet, and has been talked into appearing at Colchester Free Festival. His short pithy poems reflect Colchester life from the vantage point of anonymous suburbia. Listen to his tales, and spot yourself in his writing. He’s been watching you.

From what I have seen, Fred has written some fairly upbeat pieces, mostly mercifully short, celebrating Colchester and its people. I would suggest the material's more in the "amusing observations" bracket rather than proper poetry. We hope it's well received.

Big Swifty Unschool now open

Our latest enterprise, the Big Swifty Unschool, has opened for business, and we have a school roll of one. Our pupil left his pre-school a couple of weeks ago, and expected to move to the state local primary school in the New Year. But the parents (yes, us) had second thoughts, and have gone for homeschooling, using the Unschooling method.

At first we're looking at our own child's needs, but where could it all lead? We've joined national and local alternative schoolers' networks, and through the wonderful world wide web, have contacts in the USA who have similar interests. We've looked at Steiner Waldorf schools' methods, but most closely align ourselves with the Unschooling principles of John Holt.

A recommended first reader about Unschooling is "The Unschooling Unmanual" produced by the natural child project. As it says on the cover "It is part of the mythology of childhood itself that children hate learning and will avoid it at all costs. Of course, anyone who has had a child knows what an absurd lie this is. From infancy onward, children are the most fantastic learners in the world."

So what went on today at BSU? This morning our boy learned about construction techniques, helping us put up a pergola in the back yard. During the day he made some cut out puppets, and acted out "The Wind in the Willows" this evening. (And yes, sometimes he was a naughty boy, less this all sounds too idyllic.)

So far we're feeling our way into home schooling, but have met some other home schoolers and are learning much from their experiences. How we will respond to Cameron's Big Society debate remains to be seen, but we already know thirty people who homeschool, so we could be the kind of people he's looking for....... Watch this space over the next few years.

Colchester2020 Travel Plan Club

Big Swifty Associate's principal client at present is the Colchester2020 Travel Plan Club, where Andrew is a co-ordinator. What's that all about then?

Colchester2020 is the Local Strategic Partnership, looking at how Colchester could be in 2020. The partnership is seeking specific projects and infrastructure to be implemented, and also supporting trends for our community's better health and transportation. http://www.colchester2020.com/

One area being addressed is the problem of traffic congestion, the carbon footprint of our transport choices and the public health consequences of our lack of physical activity. At present many of us in the UK are single occupant car users, for a large majority of our business and personal trips.

So how does the Travel Plan Club come in? Quite simply, we promote alternatives to solo car use. We help with car sharing schemes, advise on parking policies, and promote car clubs http://www.wombat.co.uk/ .

We also promote public transport, offering better deals on buses and trains. Cycling ticks all of the boxes, looking at traffic congestion, carbon footprints and active travel, so we help promote national initiatives in our town. And currently we have a big push on walking - see http://www.colchesterwalktowork.blogspot.com/ But we're not only about transport change, we also help with journey reduction - such as teleconferencing, hot-desking and homeworking.

The picture shows the two job-sharers, Emily Harrup and Andrew Budd, who work on behalf of the Travel Plan Club. And it's not just about the good advice we give, it's about sharing good practice and swapping practical experiences of the Club members. Between us there are around fifteen local companies, with 11,000 staff and 13,000 students. It is a pleasure working with them.

Walking can be dangerous

It's official. Walking can be hazardous to your health. A London Borough recently produced a list of ideas to help their staff with health and wellbeing, and to address the obesity epidemic. Included in their list was the suggestion that people could use the office stairs rather than the lift.

A risk assessment of the suggestions was undertaken, and the advice that people could use the stairs was taken out, as the stairs are hazardous. I sought clarification, and was asked not to say which authority this was. When pressed, they couldn't say whether the risk was the stairs themselves, or the possibility that staff might overdo it before becoming fit for the task.

Big Swifty Associates have been busy promoting walking. It's national "walk to work week" 26-30 April. We have set up the website http://www.colchesterwalktowork.blogspot.com/ and the facebook group "colchester walk to work". Traffic for the sites has been good.

A full range of events is happening in Colchester, with a "Step and Snap" photography competition, a "Foot Feast" lunchtime picnic, a web based "walk to work Challenge", a "Hiking Hardy" talk, a "Walking Party", a "Ghost Tour", "Health Walks" and a "Toddle Waddle". Colchester2020 are producing a Colchester Walking Map. Come and join us.

The signs in my photo are at Rowhedge moorings, from the riverside public footpath, warning us about the potential for falling off, or tripping over. Walking is such an extreme sport.

Severine Laudouar translation services

Severine is a qualified translator, fluent in French, Spanish and English, with an MA in Economical, Technical and Editorial Translation, a BA in Languages applied to Business Science, a BA in Spanish and Latin American Literature, Linguistics and History. She has experience in translation, proof-reading, project coordination and working in the public and private sectors.

Please contact us for a NO OBLIGATION DISCUSSION on how we can help you. Maybe it's promotional material, maybe it's your instructions leaflet, maybe it's your website, or maybe it's YOUR IDEA HERE.

Severine is currently based in Colchester, and can be contacted on severine.laudouar@gmail.com ; full cv and references are available.

Big Swifty at Question Time 10 Feb 2010

Big Swifty is looking forward to this event tomorrow night.

The Chair for the evening will be Iain Wickes, Regional Chairman, FSB.
Chairing the Question Time debate will be Professor Han Dorussen, Head of Department of Government, University of Essex, together with a panel of representatives from the main political parties.
Wednesday 10 February 2010 from 5.30 to 8.00pm at the Weston Community Stadium, Colchester CO4 5UP

PROMISES, ELECTIONS and MY BUSINESS
Colbea, Encouraging the Growth of Business Enterprise, A free event for any small business

• How do the main political parties propose to support business during this time of economic uncertainty?


• How can education, skills development and business support agencies help?


• What is available in terms of funding for student placements, apprenticeships and job creation schemes?

Find out from politicians and experts in education and business support at this free ‘Question Time’ style event. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to raise key business issues in this significant election year.

The ‘Question Time’ debate will be followed by a business fair where you can gain
further information. Register for this free event at www.fsb.org.uk/essex/colchester-business-summit