in search of a 'niche'...

As you may know, I take a sometimes unconventional approach to how I do a lot of things as a sole trader, and my CPD is no exception – which is why every few years I like to invite people whom I’ve supported, worked or collaborated with, (or with whom I have some other spurious connection), to tell me what you really think of me… (professionally speaking).

In previous years, I’ve invited people to share with me what they think my ‘superpower’ is (see http://thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com/2016/06/rebirth-of-super-hero.html), but this time, I thought I’d try a different approach and offer 2 options through which you can share some very brief critical feedback and reflection on me: 1) Is there a picture or an image that you associate with me/what I do/how I do it? 2) Having just been named the UK’s “niche enterprise support consultant of 2018”, what do you think my ‘niche’ is?

(and yes, if you’d like, you can do both!) 

As before, I’m appreciative for any time you might be able to take in helping me with this, and I’ll anonymise and collate all responses and share the outcomes on my blog and social media at the end of July.
By way of recognition and thanks, I’m also happy to offer to help you with any reflective practice you may be thinking of engaging in on your own practices or buying you a slice of cake/coffee/beer the next time we’re in the same place together.

Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments below (if you're happy to be identified publicly with them!), or email me direct at adrian.ashton2@gmail.com 

oh, the places you'll go...

So many books on doing business and being an entrepreneur are filled with inspiring stories of what other people have achieved, and words of advice from people who haven't lived your life or faced the challenges, hopes and frustrations that you do.

Which is why I think 'oh! the places you'll go!' is the ideal book for any entrepreneur – it's presented from the view of a child: and children think that either everything is possible, or nothing is possible: a common mindset for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and the self-employed. And it’s also brutally honest that sometimes the best laid plans can come to naught despite our best efforts, but that somehow we'll manage to survive those tough times.

There are no complex mantras to remember, complex theories or tools to memorise, and it also comes with lots of fun pictures. For all those reasons and more, this is THE book that anyone launching their own enterprise should have by their bedside.