Stay Positive - You Are What You Think

Some of you may have recently read an article by our marketing guru Helen Evans, reflecting on the statistics of the mental health of the advertising and media industry.

I personally have experienced my own highs and lows working in the advertising space, however, a change in sector doesn’t mean I’m immune to the pressures of work and life. Something I have recently researched is the power of positivity and how it is connected to success in business, home-life and wellbeing.

It’s an incredibly simple concept but one we often forget to embrace or put into practice daily. Now I’m not saying don’t feel sad or down at times, all emotions are important and valid but what are you doing with them? Are you ignoring them, repressing them, or as the study would suggest drinking through them?

In order to improve and grow your positivity, practising gratitude is a great exercise. This means being grateful for even those more uncomfortable emotions, as they are the ones that are teaching us what NOT to do in order to continue moving in the direction that makes us happiest. It’s easy to fall into a negative mindset focusing on what you don’t have rather than what you do and changing this perception is a simple shift that you can actively do daily.

Here's a quick example:

A person is being difficult and demanding, making projects harder than needed.

Negative: I can’t do it, it’s not fair, I hate my job – This is a victim’s perspective!
Positive: I am grateful for the learning opportunities I can take from this situation. However, I also trust my boundaries and know when I need to stand my ground in a positive and respectful way.

No matter what happens with the person you are dealing with you can learn from the experience, generating positive emotions from the uncomfortable situation and in-turn attracting the right energy for you and your business.

So, how do you maintain that positive mindset as much as possible? Get grateful each morning! Make a practice of writing down all the things you are grateful for. This can be more than just family, friends, your dog. Get right down to things like clean water to drink and a bed to sleep in… remember not everyone has that (no guilt trip intended). Perspective is everything.

The best thing about being grateful every day is you will naturally vibrate positive energy which in turn returns more positive energy. Surround yourself with other positive people and stay mindful. By watching the external factors that have a negative impact on your mood, you will start to be able to navigate your daily path to avoid those things or lessen the impact they have on you as you become more resilient.

Tips and tricks include:

Listening to positive music, podcasts, e-books etc.
Writing in your gratitude book daily
Doing more of the things that make you happy
Don't push away negative emotions; embrace them and let them pass
Avoid negative energy and people
Sleep and eat well; nourish the body as well as the mind
Be kind to yourself
Try new things and keep learning about yourself
Smile – it is almost impossible to maintain negative thoughts when you keep your eyes above the horizon and plaster a smile on your dial! It’s a physiological thing!

Now, how about a 30-day challenge? Are you up for it?

Every morning wake up and state one thing you are thankful for beginning with the letter A and move through the alphabet. It will make you think! That’s 26 days – so for the last 4 days, choose your favourite gratitude and expand on why you are grateful. It will be a happy month!

iknowho consultants support positive jobs for positive lives. For advice on what else you can do to improve your work day, get in touch.

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Sunny days ahead!

By Kristina Gerdov • 11 Apr, 2024

When 72andSunny asked us to help them recruit a new Client Services Director to spearhead their next stage of growth, iknowho Lead Talent Partner Sheryn Small got to doing what she does best.

Top Tips for Successful Onboarding

By Kahli Fenn • 27 Mar, 2024

Did you know that approximately 80% of people that start in a role will make the decision of whether they will leave in the first few months?Yikes! Talk about pressure to get it right. It’s like they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So let us help you stand out and set your employee up for success! Onboarding starts before the start date Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that once the contract is signed that the hardest part is over. What comes next is your chance to shine! 1 week before the start date - get in touch with your new recruit to say you’re looking forward to having them join the team. Include where, when, and who to ask for when they arrive. If you don’t have this detail yet, let them know that someone will get in touch a few days before to set them at ease that it’s all organised and under control. Develop a structured induction program and block time in diaries for those involved to ensure that all colleagues have this time allocated and can plan ahead. 1 day before the start date - send them a text message. A simple “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!” can help new starters feel welcome and will calm any first day jitters. Ensure you have all tech ready to go, including computer passwords, logins, swipe cards etc. It’s a good idea to have IT on standby too as some sort of technical issue is bound to come up. 2. The first day Ever started a new role and looked around to realise it’s a ghost town? Not a great look. Plan to have them start on a day where the majority of people are working from the office rather than from home - we know that culture is key for marketers, so make sure they experience it at its best from day 1. Energy and vibe play a big part in this. Welcome pack. Include a “surprise and delight” when they first sit down at their desk. This could be a mixture of company branded items (like notebook and pens) to a handwritten card or note from them team welcoming them. You may also like to include some added details like the best places for lunch or coffee in the area. Think about your employer brand and tone of voice and what kind of welcome would best represent your style, after all, that’s what the candidate has bought into. I once started a new role and had 3 x coffee vouchers for the best café around the corner, it’s the little and thoughtful things that leave a lasting impression. Assign them a buddy - usually a colleague in a similar role that they can shadow and ask any questions about process, systems or where the bathrooms are! The line manager may not always be available so having this person helps them feel welcomed, supported and part of a community from the get-go. 3. Employee retention How you engage in the first few months is crucial to employee retention. Just as much as it’s time for the candidate to showcase why you hired them, it’s also time for you to deliver on what you discussed in the interview process too e.g. company culture, values, management style. It’s important to set your employee up for success by setting time-bound expectations and objectives, ensuring you’re both on the same page. Breaking these down by month and structuring regular catch-ups to discuss feedback are a great way to have open conversations around performance. E.g. Expectations from months 1-3 vs 3-6. In the first month, we recommend a daily more casual check-in for junior candidates and at least weekly for more senior candidates. Having these diarised, even if short meetings, are essential to allowing open discussion and ensuring everything in on track. We know finding the right person for the role takes time, money and effort, so ensuring you have a solid onboarding process in place is a crucial element to a successful hire. By investing in a well thought out and purposeful process that reflects your employer brand, you are not only investing in your new employees but also in the long-term success of the company. As your recruitment partner, we’re here to support onboarding new hires into your business to help you get the best outcome. Keen to chat on how we can do that for you? Reach out to one of our Talent Partners to discuss.

the word freelance is written in scrabble tiles next to a keyboard

Could a freelancer be the gift your team needs?

By Christine Gilbert • 29 Nov, 2023

At iknowho we understand how busy both agency and in-house marketing teams are in the lead up to Christmas. There are many benefits of using short term freelancers, so let’s explore how they can be a valuable addition to your team through the busy Christmas / New Year period. Short term freelancers offer your team: Flexibility Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. Whether you need a specialist for a short-term campaign or additional support during busy periods, freelancers offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. They give you the flexibility to hire talent on-demand without the commitment of a long term employment contract (and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too!). The skills you need You know the exact projects a short term freelancer will work on, allowing you to hire someone with the specific experience / skills needed complete the tasks at hand. Diverse Experience & Energy Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. Their diverse experience working with different businesses results in freelancers having a fresh perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. And we can also offer payroll services if needed. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . They hit the ground running With experience in similar positions, freelancers join your team with a fresh perspective and focus on delivering specific tasks. Their ability to hit the ground running and work independently also frees up your time! Although permanent hiring traditionally slows down this time of year, the use of short term freelancers usually picks up. Our clients commonly use short term freelancers to: Deliver high volume work in a short timeframe Cover staff holidays Get around head count freezes Manage ad hoc projects outside their teams’ usual scope of work or current capabilities So, whether you are looking for an AM with integrated experience, a SAM with CRM and social skills, an integrated campaign manager, digital marketer, or even a more senior suit to support team leadership and manage senior clients? We’ve got you covered! Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.