AI is changing almost everything. But it hasn't touched community!

I spend a lot of time thinking about community. Running global events means debating every choice that shapes the experience. The venue. The agenda. The speakers. The moments people don't expect. My team and I obsess over it.

Last week I was at Xchange Europe in Amsterdam. This weekend I was at Capital's Summer Time Ball at Wembley. And I couldn't stop drawing comparisons.

Here's what I keep coming back to.

The line-up won't appeal to everyone. That's the point. The best programmes are someone's everything, not everyone's something. In Amsterdam, the keynotes from global brands were what people talked about most. At Wembley, I was singing Joy at the top of my voice next to my son RayRay, watching Raye perform live. She's been my most played artist for 18 months. That moment was one of my highlights of the year.

No algorithm predicted that.

There's a term from sociology called collective effervescence. Émile Durkheim coined it to describe the energy that forms when a group of people share an intense experience together. Research confirms it: higher emotional arousal in group settings increases feelings of connection and commitment to the people around you. You feel it in a packed stadium. You feel it in a conference room when a speaker lands something true.

The venue matters more than people admit. In Amsterdam we found a five-star space on a three-star budget. But that space gave the day a sense of importance. Grandeur changes how people hold themselves. I'm increasingly having those moments at Wembley too. The environment signals to your nervous system that something worth showing up for is happening. People put up with real sacrifice to attend live events. Distances, cost, time, queuing. They do it because they want to experience something with other people who feel the same way.

That shared intention is what creates the energy. And the journey of emotions, thoughts, and conversations that unfold are unique to that exact day, that room, what's going on in the world and in your world. It can't be scheduled. It can't be replicated.

I've run events across four continents. I've been in thousands of conversations about what makes community work. And every time I'm stood in a room with people who chose to show up, I feel it again.

Nothing replaces being in the room or in the stadium.

hashtag#community hashtag#experiences hashtag#collectiveeffervescence

The Power of Community: Four Years of Building a Customer-Focused Global Engagement Programme at Sedex

Today marks my four years as the Head of Community at Sedex. Over this period, I have had the privilege of leading the development of a customer-focused global engagement programme that has not only grown in scale but has also become a key part of our engagement with customers.

With over 180 events, more than 20,000 attendees from 120 countries, and a 91% value satisfaction score, the programme has proven its worth. But the journey has been as enlightening as it has been rewarding.

The Evolution of Community Engagement

When I first joined Sedex, the concept of a robust community engagement programme was still in its early stages. The idea was simple: to create a platform where our customers could connect, share best practices, and learn from each other. However, the execution required a strategic approach that balanced in-person and virtual events, leveraged technology, and fostered a sense of belonging among participants.

In-Person vs. Virtual Events: Complementary Strengths

One of the most significant lessons I have learned is the complementary nature of in-person and virtual events. In-person events, such as our Xplore Sustainability Regional Events, offer unparalleled opportunities for deep, meaningful connections. They allow for face-to-face interactions, networking, and the building of long-term relationships. According to a 2025 study by the Event Marketing Institute, 74% of B2B marketers believe that in-person events are the most effective way to build brand loyalty (Source: Event Marketing Institute, 2025).

However, virtual events have their own unique advantages. They are more accessible, cost-effective, and can reach a broader audience, which consists of thousands of members all over the world . Zoom events, in particular, have been instrumental in our ability to scale our programme. A 2025 report by EventMB found that 80% of event professionals plan to continue using virtual event platforms even after the pandemic (Source: EventMB, 2025). This hybrid approach has allowed us to support customer pain points at scale, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Power of Small, Regular Touch Points

One of the most impactful strategies we have implemented is the use of small, regular touch points. These touch points are primarily through our series of events, where we come back each quarter to see the progress on key areas like product development or key methodologies. The goal is to keep the community engaged and informed, fostering a sense of belonging and continuous learning.

According to a 2025 survey by the Community Roundtable, 85% of community leaders believe that regular, small-scale interactions are crucial for building strong, sustainable communities (Source: Community Roundtable, 2025). These touch points not only keep the community active but also provide valuable feedback and insights that help us refine our offerings.

Showcasing Success Stories and Championing Regional Champions

A key aspect of our programme has been the focus on showcasing success stories and highlighting champions from different regions. By sharing real-world examples of how our customers have overcome challenges and achieved success, we inspire others and build a culture of mutual support.

Regional teams have played a vital role in this process. They understand the local context and can tailor events and content to meet the specific needs of their communities. This localised approach has been instrumental in driving engagement and ensuring that our programme remains relevant and valuable to all participants.

The Strategic Value of Community Engagement

For C-level executives, the strategic value of a well-executed community engagement programme cannot be overstated. It goes beyond just customer satisfaction; it drives brand loyalty, enhances customer retention, and opens up new business opportunities. According to a 2025 report by Forrester, companies with strong community engagement programmes see a 20% increase in customer retention rates (Source: Forrester, 2025).

Moreover, a thriving community can serve as a powerful advocacy tool. When customers feel valued and heard, they are more likely to become brand advocates, sharing their positive experiences with others and amplifying your message. This organic word-of-mouth marketing is invaluable in today's competitive landscape.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As I reflect on the past four years, I am deeply grateful to everyone who has collaborated, contributed, and turned up for themselves, for the community, and for a better sustainable future. To our core team, subject matter experts, regional teams, and most importantly, our community members—thank you. Your dedication and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our success.

In conclusion, the power of community is undeniable. It has the potential to transform businesses, drive innovation, and create a more sustainable future.

Xplore Sustainability North America 2024 - Bringing the Community Together

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

In an ever-growing remote-working world, with peers all over the world, it’s more challenging than ever, as a ‘people person’ to make the same human connections I used to at work.

Check out the event highlights here:

In October, whilst delivering Xplore Sustainability North America, I was reminded of the power of teams. The collective energy that comes together around a common cause and how people step up to play their part.

But it's not just about the work, it's about the coffee chats, it's about sharing life moments, creating memorable experiences. It’s about the jokes, the different perspectives, and it's about the bond.

Also, being away from your desk and screen, or even a meeting room, means you have time for the discussion to move past the immediate 'job-to-be- done', to the natural birth of ideas, the honest space of people’s anxieties and you leave feeling like you made a deeper connection.

Half of the team on the ground were my core peers, those I interact with on a daily basis, and we went beyond what could ever be possible in the office. And the other half were my North American colleagues, who I met for the first time and now have created such strong bonds that we're excited to work together again and will be there when I'm trying to unlock a challenge.

It reminded me of the annual off-sites we used to have in previous companies and just the importance of being together, in-person, in a different space.

A huge thanks to this brilliant group of people for making this experience one I’ll be looking back on with such fond memories. You reminded me of why I aspire to lead, and that together we can do so much more than alone.

The Power of Partnership

A couple of days ago I had a much-needed re-connect with Navanath Shinde and Ray Kimble, as we discussed the progress of Rainbow Boosters and the Kuma Labs computer lab that we installed in a small rural village in India last year.

Recently, with work, summer holidays and a house renovation, I’ve had little capacity to focus on Rainbow Boosters and ensured that this cross-continent call (India, UK, USA) stayed in my diary, as I needed to hear if progress was being made.

At the end of the 30 min call, with tears in my eyes, I felt the true power of partnership. Having trusted partners, brothers in action, I felt the support of others lifting me up when I needed the support to know that the wheels of motion that we put in place are still spinning.

Navanath Shinde shared how our 200 students have been using the lab every day, to learn vital digital skills and are now gearing up for exams to showcase their growth which would advance them 4-5 years ahead of their better-off peers.

He shared how the school has attracted over 45 new students from neighbouring villages because of the higher level of education and facilities now being offered.

He shared how other organisations have joined in an effort to make our school a beacon for the state, donating a STEM and Engineering lab too.

Ray Kimble shared news of the second Kuma Lab opened by the Kuma Foundation in Virginia, USA, offering the same opportunities to students in his community.

Being connected to those with similar values, to share journeys and experiences with others is like going on a road trip with friends. We all drive at different points, we all have our part to play - some organise the snacks, others curate the playlist until it's our turn to take the wheel.

This is an incredibly special road trip we are on and at each stop someone else jumps in the car, which has slowly grown to a minibus. My hopes are soon we'll be in a coach with a stronger team, singing along at the top of our voices as we continue to impact the lives of many through our ideas and actions.

I'm grateful for this partnership between Rainbow Boosters, the Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation and Kuma Foundation and look forward to what we do next.

If you are looking for a place to make a direct impact, do make a small yet transformative impact in someone else's life then join us.

Donate here - https://lnkd.in/dffZQaZD

Or drop me a note and we can discuss the ways you can get involved.

Exciting Updates from Rainbow Boosters! 🌈 Empowering Rural Students: Our Journey Continues! 🚀

I'm thrilled to share some fantastic updates about our community project that has been making waves since its launch last June. Here’s what we’ve achieved together:

🚀 Our Achievements:

• We've set up a top-notch computer lab in a rural school in India, now serving nearly 200 students with internet access and digital literacy skills, all thanks to our dedicated full-time tutor, Utkarsha, and guidance from Mr Khedekar, Consultant from the IT Institute in Pune.

• Our project has become a beacon of excellence, attracting students from neighbouring schools due to our high investment in quality education and support. 🏫

🎥 Memorable Moments:

• Remember the launch last year? It was just the beginning of a beautiful partnership between our teams, the local school, and village councils. Check out the highlights https://youtu.be/4nBElLi16PE

👨👩👦 Family Visit in February:

• I visited the school with my family to check on our progress and the impact of our work. We were amazed to see students progressing from zero computer knowledge to crafting stories in Word and exploring the internet!🌐Watch the highlights of that trip here: https://youtu.be/cWoEz6wRxfE

🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You:

• On behalf of Rainbow Boosters, Kuma Foundation, and the Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation, I want to extend a massive thank you for your generous support and belief in our vision.

💖 Conscious Giving with Rainbow Boosters:

• Unlike other initiatives where the trail of your donation can be unclear, we ensure that every penny you donate directly benefits the school and its students. Transparency is key! 🔑

🤝 Connect & Thrive:

• With Rainbow Boosters, you’re not just donating; you’re engaging. Meet our students via Zoom, or better yet, visit the school on your next trip to India! This year alone, 10 international supporters have visited, some leading workshops and sharing valuable mentorship. 🧘♂️📚

🎒 New Students have arrived

• The new school year has commenced, and we've warmly welcomed new students with a vibrant procession through the village. 🎉🏫🚶

🌟 Empowering Through Education:

• This year, we're thrilled to announce that all our students will have the opportunity to earn a government-recognized Digital Literacy qualification, the MS-CIT (Maharashtra State Certificate in Information Technology). 🖥️ Learn more about MS-CIT here.

https://mscit.mkcl.org/)

• Starting from Year 7, our students will gain this crucial certification, putting them years ahead of their peers and bridging the digital divide. Next year, there are plans to  introduce programming and coding!

• 👨👩👧👦 2024 Focus – Supporting Families:

• We've identified many students and families struggling with the costs of education. In our commitment to ensure every child has access to quality learning, we're raising funds for uniforms, school fees, and books.

• By donating just £50, you can cover a student's schooling, uniforms, books, fees etc for an entire year! Imagine the difference you can make. 💖

🔗 Get Involved:

• Ready to make an impact? Click here to donate and help us transform lives. Your support builds futures and fosters lasting relationships through mentorship and direct connections with the families. (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rainbowboosters2024?utm_term=xKAk8g3Wb)

We're excited to see the community's power in action this year and deeply appreciate your continued support. Together, we're not just changing lives; we're shaping futures.

Thank you for being a Ray of Sunshine ☀️

Warmest regards,

Pritesh 

🌟 Give a small yet transformative boost this International Women's Day 🌈

Today, on International Women's Day, I am proud to share how we are taking concrete action to #InspireInclusion and support women and girls in their pursuit of quality education and training.

At Rainbow Boosters (www.rainbowboosters.com),through the Kuma Lab, we firmly believe that access to education is a fundamental right that should be available to all, regardless of their background or location.

In rural India, we have witnessed the immense potential and determination of young female students. However, we also recognize the challenges they face, particularly in terms of limited resources and opportunities. That's why we have taken it upon ourselves to bridge this gap and empower these young women to thrive in their dreams.

A young student on a zoom call at the Rainbow Boosters Project in Belar, Pune, India

Through our initiatives, we are providing these students with access to the internet and digital literacy skills. We firmly believe that digital literacy is a crucial tool in today's world, opening doors to endless possibilities and opportunities. By equipping these young women with the necessary skills, we are enabling them to navigate the digital landscape confidently and empowering them to shape their own futures.

On our recent trip to the school, we were inspired in the difference we saw amongst these girl students. Through the internet, they have started to create, visulise and dream alternative, better futures for themselves. To aspire to be the top ranking police officer in the state, to be a world famous artist or a doctor.

A group of students taking part in the 'Journal of Dreams' workshop where they shared and discussed thier dreams and how to achieve them

Rainbow Boosters in partnership with Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation (@Navanath Shinde) and Kuma (@Kuma Foundation) are committed to designing and building infrastructure that meets the specific needs of women and girls.

By focusing on education and infrastructure, we are not only empowering these young women but also fostering a more inclusive society. We firmly believe that when women and girls are given equal opportunities, they can contribute significantly to their communities and drive positive change.

Through our philosphy of Conscious Giving, (donating funds and time), building connections with those we help and using the technology we have implemented, we are making a profound impact on these students lives with very little amounts.

On this International Women's Day, be a Ray of Sunshine, in their lives and support our work to empower them and commit ourselves to #InspireInclusion through action.

Join our mini-movement in supporting young students in rural India and let's encourage them to dream big, achieve their goals, and become the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we can make a huge difference!

Donate as little as a cup of coffee here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rainbow-boosters2024?utm_term=wdDnEa369

By providing women and girls with access to quality education and training, we are not only transforming individual lives but also building a brighter and more equitable future for all.

#InternationalWomensDay #EmpowerWomen #EducationForAll #InclusionMatters #GenderEquality

Thank you

Pritesh

Getting going in 2024

This year didn't start how I wanted it to... 😔

If you know me, then you'll know that:

- I love Mondays, 😄

- I love Milestones, 🎉 and

- I love the Beginning of the Year! 🌟

The hard reset that January brings, the natural refresh of a calendar, and the opportunity to create a year filled with growth and new experiences. 🌱

For the last decade, I have always had the first week of Jan off work. My Birthday Week is a great excuse, but I've mainly used it to reflect, re-calibrate, and plan for the year ahead. 💭📅

Daisy and I will go to a cozy restaurant and work through:

- Reviewing the last year: the highlights and the lowlights 📝

- Reading our 3 and 5-year plans from 3 and 5 years ago to see where we are today 🗓️

- Score the different elements of our life in terms of where they are vs where we want them to be (Across Health, Finance, Careers, Relationships, Physical Environments, Experiences, etc) 🏋️♂️💰💼👫🏡🌍✨

- We'll then brainstorm aspirations and plans for the next 1, 3, 5 years (for us as a couple, for us individually, for us as a family, and for the kids too) 🌠🌟🤝📝 and start to plant seeds in the universe of a direction to go in. 🌱🪴

This year, for the first time in a long time, it didn't work out like that, and at first, it threw me.

The kids didn't go back until the 8th of Jan, so having that window at the start of the year wasn't there. Also, I was pretty unwell this last week, so the brain capacity to work through this planning wasn't there. 😔💭🤒

I was feeling like everyone had started the year, and I was stuck at the start line with no sense of direction. But being forced to slow down by your body means you have time to reflect. 🏃♀️🚦⏸️

I then started to feel that it should very rarely matter what others are doing unless it impacts me directly because everyone is running in their own lanes, as the heroes of their own journey. Our timings, pace, and direction are all different. ⏳🏃♂️💨

I signed out of all my socials to stop the habitual thumb-slide through a feed at any given moment. Now, if I want to see something, I have to intentionally check, and I realized that my growing anxiety exists because I'm flooding my brain daily with the best and worst of the world that doesn't impact me in reality. 📴🌍😳

I believed that once I do feel better and do get the chance to plan, it will still be at the beginning of Jan, and 2024 is a long year waiting for us to embrace and make whatever we want it to be. 💪😌🎉

And the belief that 'you're always exactly where you are meant to be' and that things will come good when the timing is right. ⏰😇

And just like that, an opportunity for me to spend an hour in the Mandir alone and then for Daisy and me to plan appeared. It was wholesome, challenging, honest, collaborative, and 2024 is set to be another fun-filled, meaningful year for us all. 🙏🤝🎉

I wanted to share this because I've heard recently people around us say how 'you've got it all together' or 'you don't have the same challenges I do'. 🗣️🧩

The reality is, we don't have it all together, and no, we don't all have the same challenges (look at the world right now - I'm extremely grateful for not having some of the challenges the world has right now). 🌍🙌

But with the right intention (INTENTION is my word of the year, btw, you'll hear me use it a lot in 2024), a belief that where your focus goes, your energy flows, and a bit of self-love, you can turn any false start into a catalyst and get back on track! 💪❤️🚀

Here's to a great 2024... it may be a new year, but I'm the same me, trying to grow, trying to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves, trying to give little transformative boosts where I can, and share stories of this experience with those around me...hope you'll come along for the ride! 👊

Rainbow Boosters Announces New Partnerships in Support of Closing Digital Divide

March 2023, London, UK - Rainbow Boosters, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving underprivileged communities transformative boosts, is proud to announce two new partnerships with Kuma Foundation and the Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation. The partnerships are crucial in support of closing the digital divide and providing essential resources to children in need.

The new partnership will provide Rainbow Boosters with funding and additional resources to deliver the first project; building a computer lab at a rural school in Pune, India. Opening in June, the lab will serve as a vital resource for disadvantaged students who lack access to technology and the internet. The facility will be used to deliver computer classes and internet access to children from low-income families, providing them with the opportunity to gain the technological skills they need to succeed in today's digital world.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kuma Foundation and the Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation as new partners in our mission to connect communities and be a ‘ray of sunshine’ for those who live under dark clouds," said Rainbow Boosters Founder Pritesh Chauhan. "The new computer lab at the Bal Siddhanath Vidyalaya School, Village Belsar, Taluka Puranadar, in Pune, will be a great example of what shared values, collaboration and dedication to improving the education system can achieve. Our progress and ability to deliver this first Rainbow Booster project would not be possible without their support and dedication."

Kuma Foundation Founder Ray Kimble, a non-profit organization built on the principle that all kids deserve a chance at a high-tech future, is looking to expand the impressive impact it had in the US to other countries and sees Rainbow Boosters as the right project to explore this growth.

"We are excited to partner with Rainbow Boosters and support this important initiative," said Ray Kimble.

"We understand the vital role that technology plays in a child's education and future success and are proud to contribute to this effort."

The Pandit Abaji Panshikar Foundation, founded by Navanath Shinde, who himself has felt the impact of having been given a life-transforming boost at a young age, is dedicated to promoting education and cultural awareness among these young rural students and acts as a crucial player on the ground in India, liaising and coordinating with the school committee and other key parties.

Navanath Shinde stated, "We believe that every child deserves access to good education and the resources they need to reach their full potential. We are honoured to partner with Rainbow Boosters in achieving this goal and look forward to contributing to the success of this project."

Rainbow Boosters is the brainchild of Pritesh Chauhan and his son Rayan Prem (6 years old), who are asking people they know to help those who are less fortunate than them, in an attempt to create opportunities and a more equal world.

Through their approach of ‘conscious giving,’ they want to create connections for those who donate time and funds in order to make the whole experience richer for all involved.

For more information and to get involved with Rainbow Boosters, visit www.rainbowbooster.com

Starting a Diversity & Inclusion Committee

In a world where our uniqueness is celebrated, our identity is promoted and we interact with people from all over the world on a regular basis, in the work we do and the communities we live in, I was quick to jump at the opportunity to be part of Sedex’s new Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

As part of the company’s People and Culture Strategy, a new committee was being formed and it felt like an important conversation to be part of.

I have become more conscious (as I get older) of the multiple dynamics that I sit between. A British Asian, with all I know from education, sport and culture and yet a big part of my identity that sits in Hindusim and my Gujurati culture.

A father, to second-generation British Asian children, living in a more fragmented and multi-cultural community and trying to support and navigate them in search of their identity and beliefs.

A boy who grew up pre-internet and mobile phones, now working in marketing and tech spaces surrounded by digital natives.

Growing up in a world where boy meets girl and they have kids was expected to a time when identity itself has completely opened up.

Having studied International Business Marketing with peers from over 20 different countries in my year, I saw first-hand the importance of diversity and also the challenges that it brings. Over the last 10 years or so I’ve worked for global organisations, collaborating on projects with team members in different countries and timezones and being understanding of the nuances of the challenges they face has always been really eye-opening.

After 6 months of foundational training with The Centre For Inclusive Leadership, we set about forming plans for the committee. This in itself was really interesting as you can see that roles, positions and where the influencing power sits can impact the dynamic of your actions and also your outcomes.

Once we had our plans, we launched the programme with the support of D&I expert Leng Montgomery who promoted the value of a committee and also the importance of allyship for the success of any D&I programme.

We as a committee are keen to respond to the needs of the employees of the company. We conducted a company-wide Survey which received an extremely high response rate. Telling us that this is a need and appetite to explore, discuss and improve, all in the aim of ensuring people feel like they can bring their best selves to work, every day.

We established that even though we’re naturally diverse, inclusion is the big focus area. Supporting leaders, regional team members and those who are normally forgotten to be seen, heard and part of the combined journey we are on.

The survey gave us loads of data that when analysed showed us the trend of pain points. We created working groups, from across the business with the inclusion of our Exec and leadership team, to understand the problems raised, and suggest actions to improve and resolve the challenges.

we’re not at a really interesting phase with over 100 ideas for action, to prioritise what can be done in the short-term vs longer-term projects and who is best placed to drive these changes, D&I or the HR team.

I’m really excited to welcome new members, as we gear up for the action/implementation phase of the D&I programme and my continued exploration and personal development in this space.

My Mini MBA in Marketing Experience

The last 3 months have been full on, not only because of work; planning our first in-person event in Chicago, launching our Diversity & Inclusion Committee or life in general with a 3 and 5-year-old, but because I took on a Mini MBA in Marketing with Mark Ritson (through Marketing Week).

I took on the challenge because I wanted to see if what I've been doing for the last 18 years was right or not, to gain a foundation for current marketing thinking (and the complexity that now brings) and to obviously learn new things.

I had no idea how challenging, interesting, fascinating, annoying, rewarding, eye-opening, entertaining and connecting it would be for me. I met so many like-minded people over the three months as we helped each other understand the module, debate the direction of the case study or laugh about how painful we found the exam.

I would have been happy with a pass - It was always going to be added value being exposed to such great content.

Then when I submitted the exam I secretly hoped that I would get a B (apparently only the top 20% get As). The three intense weeks of building the marketing plan, sitting in the problem to find the answers, getting to my answer, sleeping on it and then completely changing my answer, made me feel I was considered in my rationale.

Then as I landed from Chicago and checked the app I saw that I got an A - I was and am still over the moon with that result. I decided to not do the exam in a group to reveal how much I get it and was willing to hear the harsh facts if it went the other way.

I will continue to be curious, continue to advocate for Marketing as a company's superpower and look forward to many more years in this space.

Where I find my inspiration

I N S P I R A T I O N

We all want to be inspired but are we allowing ourselves to be in the environments to be inspired? Or are we hoping it hits us like a lightning bolt?

Here's when I'm inspired, overtime I've realised that these are the places that work for me.

So now, on purpose:

+ I carve out time and curate what I listen to on my walks.
+ I actively seek out songs I've never heard in hope of a new feeling or perspective
+ I follow, sign up, message and speak to people I believe I can learn from
+ I have a Remarkable2 (digital note taker) on my bedside table to capture all my ideas as soon as I wake up
+ I find being with my thoughts, drawing in the steam on the window in the shower always generates new ideas
+ I didn't always like reading but now I know other people's words stimulate a response in my mind
+ I use my commutes to watch videos of those I find motivating

As a result, across my week I have more opportunities to be inspired!

What do you do to give yourself the best opportunity to be inspired?

#inspiration #ideas #environment #productivity #proactive #thoughts #whatdoyoudo #podcasts #walks #books

SQUIGGLY CAREERS PODCAST

I was invited to talk to Helen Tupper on the Amazing If - Squiggly Careers podcast, as I was one of the 100 people who become part of the Squiggly Career Advocates community in 2021.

Together we talked about the importance of building a community around your career, the communities they have benefited from being part of, and what they have learned about how to give and get the most from them. At the end I delivered my Squiggly Careers spoken word piece.

Listen to the episode here: https://www.amazingif.com/listen/how-to-build-and-be-part-of-a-career-community/

One year being Head of Community - here's what I've experienced

Today marks my one-year anniversary as Head of Community.

The role and challenge for the organisation were new, build a community with the growing global membership and provide real value to their organisations through peer-to-peer engagement.

Having been in core marketing roles for over seventeen years, this was also new for me. Sure, the skills of building a strategy, proposition and identity, spreading a message, creating content and bringing people together are the same but when looked at through a ‘community’ perspective, there is a layer of responsibility and expectation attached to it.

I’ve been fortunate over my last few roles to create something new; a project or campaign that starts with the seed of an idea and my task is to bring it to life. Having the ability to question everything, explore multiple avenues and watch your ideas grow, fail, and evolve is what makes the journey so rewarding.

Interestingly, this time my new title generated lots of curious conversations, from within my network and amongst others online who I’d never met before. Questions revolved around the ‘science’ behind building a community and the engagement tactics to make it work. There is something about ‘community’ that seems so natural and logical to us, and yet seems to be this unreachable goal for many organisations, as they realise the immense value of having a community amongst their customers/members but don’t know how to get there.

In my constant endeavour to support others with my learnings, I thought it may be valuable to highlight the top five things I’ve experienced over the last 12 months in this position:

1.     Community means something different to everyone

Even though the idea of a community is one of the oldest and most universal social models we all live in and understand, we all have a different idea of what a community is and therefore the expectations of what a community is are different. It didn’t take me long to realise this point; when I asked people ‘what does community mean to you?’ I got a different response every time. People shared that community for them is anything from where they live, their faith groups, the sports teams they support to the online social networks that they are part of. And each example seemed to have its own set of rules and expectations.

I started to see that a community may exist because of common interest but defined by how the people within that community interact, how they turn up to get something out of that interaction and as a result if you want to build a community then you need to define and spell out why your community exists and what it stands for on.

In all my exploration around structures, pillars, and stages that make a community successful, I found this one-page summary by Jeremy Connell-Waite, a great overview of all community components.

View fullsize

Click to expand

2.     Time zones and languages matter

It’s great when organisations have multiple offices around the world to support the diverse spread of their customers but it’s tough to run a global programme from a central location. This was one of our main challenges; how can we be ‘truly global’ with a small team and limited budget, as well as making all our members feel equal heard?

The first thing we did was make sure that we ran any online events twice in the day. Being London based we ran a morning 8 am session to cater for the Asia Pacific region and then a 3 pm session for EMEA and the Americas. This covered about 85% of our members.

We also identified that to be ‘truly global’ you need to be not only accessible at the right time but also in the right language. Where possible, in larger events, we hire interpreters to translate the content in Spanish or Mandarin (via Zoom channels) and more recently have had our local teams re-present the content in their own languages.

There is a broad assumption that the business language across the world is English and people will get by, but we’ve seen that these small adjustments have a big impact on members feeling included and that’s important for a community.

3.     Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come

I’ve had a few interesting conversations where peers have told me that they built a programme or a forum online and it has not succeeded, and the leadership team are baffled because they believed that just by investing and building a community alone means it runs itself.

Continual engagement is the key to building a community. Content is still king and when it comes to your community, we’ve found there are a plethora of ways you can get people to be involved:

Close communication: keep members aware of what’s coming up, what’s in it for them, what they need to prepare, where they can get key information, who they can contact etc.

Polls and surveys: tools like Slido enable great ‘moment-in-time’ feedback and discussion points and our regular surveys give members the place to tell us what they think. This gives you great data to build collateral from.

Opportunities to get involved: we ask members to tell us where their expertise is and where they would like to use them, e.g. ‘I’d like to speak on the topic of X’.

Input & feedback: Be open to allowing members to input into your strategy and plans, they’ll give you some great ideas. Once they have, make sure you feedback on the things you are going to do, aren’t going to do and by when.

Data points: at key points share your findings and analysis with not only your key stakeholders but back with the community, you’ll be surprised at how powerful these insights mean to them.

All of these different elements help in bringing people together, where they feel like they add and generate value and in turn, they come with you on your journey. 

4.     Be accountable - it’s a two-way relationship

In any organisation where you have large groups of members, it is easy to categorise them into stereotypes based on their location, industry, behaviours, size of business etc. It’s critical to do this to manage them, however in a community you can’t broad stroke participants.

Over time I’ve learnt that every member is different, and they have very real perspectives and bring something valuable to the community. Therefore, the goal, as the Airbnb founder Brian Chesky says ‘is to have 100 people who love me than 1,000,000 who ‘kinda’ like me’

You must build two-way relationships with members, hear what they have to say, their challenges and successes, and work together to meet both of your goals. As you would in any strong relationship, you need to be accountable for what you say you’re going to do and be open when things change.

We as a team have started to focus more on the richness and direct impact we are making than the reach and numbers that sound good, and what you’ll find is that because of this behaviour the numbers naturally increase good because you can showcase the value and others want to be part of that.  

5.     Community is the next wave of engagement - invest in it

I sometimes feel like I’m overstating the obvious when I talk about the power a community can have for any organisation, but if you’re a Simon Sinek fan like me, you’ll know that most organisations have gotten it wrong over the last thirty years because they are playing a finite game where they are answerable to their shareholders and not their customers.

The shift towards triple-bottom-line and purpose driven companies means the role of a community has a much bigger role to play. For huge brands, it’s easier (to some degree) because their loyalty and relationship are heavily linked to their consumer products. (I’ve just finished reading Shoe Dog by Nike founder Phil Knight – add it to your list - it’s fascinating). But for many other organisations, they’ll see the idea of having and building a community as nice-to-have.

In our short time running this programme we’ve seen our small but proactive community has evolved products and services, prioritised focuses for key business areas, has resolved critical member issues, has generated new business leads, created champions for our business and a platform for inclusion.

I now heavily advocate that community is no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have and if you really want to benefit from a community programme you need to invest in it.

I’m really excited to continue this exploration on how to make a community as effective as possible, to finding more brilliant examples and having great conversations with peers trying to do something similar.

Always happy to connect and hear your thoughts, share ideas and discuss challenges. Just message me.

That month when Will Smith was my personal guru...

I spent a month with Will Smith, virtually, and he didn’t know it, but I learnt a lot….my key takeaways are here and the full story below. I wanted to share my thoughts and all the links in the hope someone else finds a nugget of wisdom that will help them, like they helped me.

So, in the one month that I was listening, watching, learning from Will Smith, what were my main takeaways?

• You build a wall one brick at a time – just focus on the next brick

• The best things in life are on the other side of fear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0xijHHvN2I)

• Surround yourself with ‘ride or die’ people – they will make all the difference

• Everything will change, always – so plan for the next wave before it gets here

• Invest your time in knowing about others before you think about making a judgement on anyone

• Understand the responsibility of how you make people feel

• If you’re going to love – then do it whole-heartedly, everyone involved is better off as a result

• Say hello and goodbye like it’s your last time because for some people it may be the last time you actually see them

Here’s the full story…

I feel like Will Smith has always been in my life. When I think back to when I was growing up, The Fresh Prince is always on the TV in the background of my memories. There was a period when he always had a hit song out and then there was that onslaught of huge blockbuster hits every year between 1995 and 2008, one after the other. From Bad Boys, Independence day, Men In Black, I Am legend, The Pursuit of Happiness to Hancock, he was always on a screen nearby.

The very first rap I knew off-by-heart was Boom! Shake the Room. I remember being sat in the back of my dad's royal blue Volvo, on some family trip, and my mum being amazed at my unknown rapping ability.

Yo back up now and give a brother room
The fuse is lit and I'm about to go boom!
Mercy mercy, mercy me
My life is a cage but on stage I'm free
Hyped up, psyched up, ready for wilin'
Standing in a crowd of girls like an island…

The thing I loved about Will Smith the most was the way he made me feel. Oozing positivity, an upbeat attitude, and that infectious smile. I found it fascinating how he always managed to make you smile and feel happy.

A couple of years ago, when he realised that to maintain his title as the ‘biggest entertainer of all time’, he’d need to connect where people consume content and started his own YouTube channel. He proactively created new content where I felt a stronger sense of connection to him, his attitudes, and his discipline. I saw how he constantly pushed himself to try something different, or ridiculous. He showed another side, a human side to his stardom.

In Dec 2021, I came across the interview he did on Jay Shetty’s ‘On Purpose’ podcast. (You can watch/listen to it here - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYMizH73cc / https://open.spotify.com/episode/1A3sjeBKf5qHjQ1VQgJO3t).

In this interview he shared many aspects of his life and I gained so many insights into his commitment to his family, the way in which his family proactively spent a year studying each religion to be able to have a real understanding of others and perspectives on love and relationships. Even within the depths of this conversation he manged to make me laugh, the way in which Will describes how the story of Arjun from the Bhagavad Gita moved him (around 1 hours 13mins into the interview) and his articulation of that moment made me think, wouldn’t it be incredible if my inner voice sounded like Will Smith, and if my outlook was a bit more like his!

Soon after, I saw YouTube were promoting his new series ‘Best Shape of my Life’, where he battles the physical and mental challenges of getting to a place that would make him feel confident, after ‘letting himself go’ during the pandemic, at the same time as writing his autobiography Will. (You can watch it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9WDEFtSU_M&list=PLtb5OOwnB8RoCzJz57R0jrCUzYF6Yunw9). I was glued to the series, to see the turmoil and drama, as well as juggling so many plates and going through this real journey of emotions, made me feel a real connection to this superstar, or as my boys call him, The Genie.

One lunchtime, my wife and I, watched him describe the overwhelming feeling when you first see your child. The weight of the world on your shoulders and the commitments you make to them and yourself in those moments. I looked over at my wife and we were both in floods of tears, having both been transported back to that hospital room in 2016, when we had the same interaction with our first son. Will had reminded us of those commitments.

It was a no-brainer that when my brother asked what book I wanted for Christmas, I immediately sent him the link to Will. Will Smith’s autobiography. (You can buy it here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Will-Smith/dp/1529124158/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4NNJKTV6PYEA&keywords=will&qid=1644875649&sprefix=will+%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1).

Over the Christmas break Disney Plus has a series called ‘Welcome to Earth’ hosted by…you guessed it, Will Smith. (https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/welcome-to-earth). It sees him traverse the Earth confronting his fears in the most beautiful places on our planet. I was hooked, not only by the fantastic cinematography but his storytelling. It was a reminder of power of the place in which we all live and the importance of appreciation for life.

January hit, the kids were back to school, I had committed to a ‘no phones upstairs’ routine and I was ready to dive into my new book. In one week, I completed it (which is unheard of for me!). I couldn’t put it down, I was excited to get into bed to read the next chapter, to learn more, to find other words of wisdom. I’ve since heard many other reflect on this book, that this multi-billion-dollar movie star, arguably the best and first to do many things, had the same challenges and problems as I do. The dynamics of his life, the choices he had to make were relatable to me and my life. The learnings and reflections felt profound to me and have made a significant impact on my life.

Ok so I didn’t personally hang out with Will Smith for a month, but I was immersed in so many aspects of his work, life and experiences that it led me to share my thoughts. He set out with the intention to help others with his stories in his book and he definitely hit his goal by reaching me, and I’m a little better off because of it.

Want a coach...? Have mine!

On a monthly basis, someone asks me 'how did you find your coach?' and every time a sinking feeling washes over me. I want to be able to give them some solid guidance on where and how to find a coach that they can trust. Someone that makes you feel confident that the exercises they'll give you will create positive and lasting change in their life, just like the one I have.

But the reality is, I didn't find my coach, he found me. And I know there are others who have had the same experience and it's almost impossible to replicate.

So, I was thinking about it... You can have mine....

Don't worry, I'm definitely not giving him up but I am willing to share the best kept secret in my life - my coach.

Everyone has a different idea of what having a coach means and there are many types of coaches. Some perceive it similar to a mentor for your career, helping you learn through their experiences and others think it's like a therapist, who is there to help you work through your challenges and mistakes of the past. The actual definition of a coach is more along the lines of being non-directive, where they empower you to identify all aspects of yourself to unlock your fullest potential.

My coaching relationship started over seven years ago, when a leadership coach, brought in at a previous company to upskill senior management, opened my mind to so many areas from controlling your inner voice, how to deal with difficult stakeholders and the importance of leading by example. From that course we 'clicked' and now he has evolved into my life coach. Now before you stop reading, thinking I'm some sort of hippie for having a life coach... Hear me out...

The world of business, careers, home life, flexi working and being your 'authentic' self in everything you do, is becoming more and more blended than any other time in recent history. Our careers are more and more 'squiggly' (www.AmazingIf.com), our responsibilities (especially as a son, manager, modern husband, employee, supportive friend, colleague, mentor and young father) are more varied than the generations before us.

Whenever I'd be in a coaching conversation, the things that were going on at home would be impacting my work and my work priorities would make juggling home life challenging. Over time it was only natural that to help me reach my full potential, my coach would need to look at all the connected elements of my life and how they balance (or in my case - how they don't).

So, what characteristics does my coach have that I think you'd benefit from:

Building a human connection... We are nearly 30 years apart in age, we live very different lives, yet we are friends. We connected on a human level with mutual respect, genuine care for each other's well-being and well-wishers of each other’s ambitions. I didn't realise how important this was until I had a disheartening experience with a couple of business coaches where the whole thing felt very 'transactional'. I know there will be those that say you shouldn't have that kind of relationship with your coach and I challenge you on that, only because I'm so much richer for having that extra layer of consideration.

My coach has been through some stuff...I love a story and boy-oh-boy has he got some, from being in the army, to being a minister, to being a father, grandfather, coaching some of the biggest CEOs in tech, there's not a scenario that I come across that he can't support me on. Through things that were my biggest accomplishments to some horrifying tragedies in my life, he's able to relate, guide and share his lived experiences with me. Having a coach that can relate to you is incredibly powerful and it's not something that someone learns, it's something that you align on and connect with.

Trusting their process...The great thing about having someone who cares about you is that when they ask you to undertake exercises that makes you look deep within your soul, questions your very identity or takes you into unknown territories, you have complete confidence that it's for your benefit. My coach pushes me from the deep things about my purpose, values, identity, leadership qualities to the very small stuff, the words I say, the 'ums' in my sentences, my eye contact and much more.

We're refining and improving the big and the small, all towards a version of me that is the most considered and refined that it can be.

And why does that matter?

For me it's because I want to really inspire, motivate and support others. I've realised over time I have the ability to do that and therefore I know I can only really do that when I have balance in my own life and I'm in that state of 'flow'.

Let me give you a practical example of when my coach stepped in. We were broken into recently and it felt like a huge violation of our lives. I kicked into the 'fixer' mode of sorting out the broken door, insurance, upgrading security systems, trying to restore the positive, happy environment in our house. A week after it had happened, on the way back home from dropping my youngest son off to nursery, I felt this wave of emotion come over me. I hadn't processed the incident on an emotional level.

I normally would call one of my close friends and they would re-assure me, they would tell me the practical things to consider and work through. Instead I called my coach. He empathised, shared his own experiences, referenced the emotions I was going through, then offered me a lesson. To embrace the emotional side, find a pocket in my day to be angry, to not be 'ok' but do it alone, in my own time. That 15 min chat changed my day. I went home, calm, understanding of what was happening and would happen to me emotionally and I was able to dial in to a meeting and turn up for my team. He's not my therapist, he's not just my career coach, he sees how one side is connected to the other and together we navigate whatever challenges come by.

Being championed...My coach makes me believe that I can do things beyond my own belief.... Not in a toxic positivity kind of way, in a way that says, look at what you have, look at what you can do and imagine what that could look like if you focused. My wife knows when I've come of a call with my coach, I'm alive, buzzing, creating, inspiring, dancing. My coach doesn't just teach me or gives me guidance, he gives me energy. From resetting my mind daily through my affirmations or by just reminding me of what to be grateful for and the things that make me so tremendously unique. If you're not getting that from your coach then please have a hard think about your relationship. Every interaction with my coach makes me feel like I've grown and I'm boosted.

So why this and why this now?

Well, I see all the posts, podcasts, blogs, videos about 'finding a coach for you' and I realised I was being selfish. If feel like I have a duty to share my experience with you and if you find yourself in a place where you're exploring/asking questions then this could be the moment a bit of coaching could truly transform your life in the way it has mine.

Oh yea nearly forgot his name is Mike Coote, or Mike 'Awesome' Coote as he still is in my phone. Happy to connect my connections, happy for you to go direct, but whatever you do, if you're in the slightest bit curious, reach out and take the first step into what could be an instrumental chapter in your life...I'm living proof of that and I'll happily chew your ear of telling you all my magical moments.

Starting Something New

This week I 'celebrated' my 3 month anniversary at Sedex.

I've previously talked about the importance of recognising milestones that you invest in and work towards as much as those that come around by default e.g birthdays.

For context, earlier this year I left a company that I had been at for 6 years, where I had grown so much, professionally and personally.

Last year, as campaigns came to an end, the pandemic hit and teams got restructured, anxiety for the future drove me to try and figure out what I want to do with my enhanced experience and updated skill set. Truthfully, I was feeling a bit lost and after some career coaching (which I would highly recommend BTW), I built a new path, that essentially led me to Sedex.

On reflection, the journey to this role was smooth in comparison to previous roles, however, it was clouded by doubt. Should I leave in the middle of a pandemic? The kids are still young, what happens if this doesn't work out? There's more to risk and I'm going to be responsible for a lot more than ever. Should I just play it safe, stay and deal with the frustrations of being unhappy professionally or take the leap and see where it goes?

Over the last 18 months, in my mentoring capacity, I've heard a trend in conversations I'm having with peers who have been feeling the same, so at this early milestone, whilst it's fresh, I wanted to share some of my thoughts, having taken a leap of faith, in the hope to inspire others on the fence to consider.

So how has it been?

Starting virtually was harder than I imagined it would be - I felt a bit lost, and at times a bit isolated. It felt like nothing had changed, as I was in the same home office logging on to a different laptop. You do have to make a deliberate effort to get to know people, to put in short calls with new team members to close that gap of being virtual. Over time the feeling of being new and being lost faded. Hopefully, for some, this will change in the near future but some companies will still have starting virtually as an option.

Commuting again, being back in the city, meeting new people, a new office, a new route all left me feeling extremely overwhelmed at first. I would come home and be completely shattered. Going back to an office, even a few times a week is going to take some getting used to, my advice is to be conscious that it's going to take some time to get used to the sensory overload and be kind to yourself by taking pockets of time to take it all in.

Walk before you can run... if like me you've been at a company for more than a couple of years, you will likely have a strong sense of rhythm; you know how to get things done, you know who to go to, and your timelines for doing tasks are quite streamlined. As I transitioned to a new company, I didn't really factor in that I would need to learn a new business, get to know, and build relationships with new people in order to perform at the capacity that I know I can. I stumbled, took on too much, expected a lot of people I only just met, and that made the first few weeks really tough for myself. Just be mindful that you're new and you have the grace to learn and be curious.

There are natural emotional peeks and troughs in starting something new and one thing that really helped me is speaking about it. My wife is always a good soundboard and I have a handful of close friends and mentors who I'd periodically call on a walk if I was having a wobble. They would either reduce the mountain that I thought I was climbing, into something more managable or remind me of my core strengths. Every conversation helped, even if it was just to get out my own head for a little while.

In summary, any change comes with uncomfortable moments and it really does get better. In just 3 short months I've progressed with my projects, I've started to build some strong connections, the commute is getting easier and I'm really excited about what the future holds for me at Sedex.

As famously said, the grass is greener where you water it, so wherever you put your efforts you'll flourish!

Looking forward to sharing future updates with you and if you're ever near St Paul's let me know, there's a few coffee places I want to try out.

Career Conversations with Charlie Fey

In 2020, I went through some coaching, with career coach Charlie Fey, at a point where I was really confused about which direction to go in with my career.

I learnt so much from the coaching and had such a positive experience (as well as landing my next role) that I felt I wanted to share some of the key tips and first-hand case-studies with my network.

Simply it's an attempt to help others or at least start a conversation for those who may find themselves in a similar position in such tough times.

Below you’ll find the 4 areas we discussed:

Part 1 - How to effectively job search in the current market Part 2 - The value of a Career Coach

Part 3 - How to prepare well for an interview Part 4 - How to nail an interview in a Covid-19 world

Podcast: Implement #20 – Pritesh Chauhan on Video Marketing & Storytelling

At the end of last year I was invited to do my first podcast with Badis Khalfallah and the Implement. podcast.

It was a really interesting exercise to go through and Badis was such as joy to speak with.

I'm loving what the Implement. podcast covers for Marketing professionals and really glad to be part of the community.

In this episode, we talked about what makes a great video campaign and video storytelling.

We talked about the massive transition in video production,

We talked about how to learn video marketing and best practices.

For this 20th episode, I had the chance to chat with Pritesh Chauhan. Pritesh is a Creative Marketing Strategist and Storyteller.

[DISCLAIMER: When recorded, Pritesh was Senior Marketing Manager at GSMA, a trade organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide. So we mention his work at GSMA :)].

In this episode, we talked about what makes a great video campaign and video storytelling.

We talked about the massive transition in video production

We talked about how to learn video marketing and best practices.

Pritesh is a storyteller and strategic content creator with a passion for helping people and businesses tell their stories.

For over the last fifteen years, he has been in the business-to-business world across various industries, building marketing divisions, defining brands, delivering impactful events, creating dynamic content, producing engaging video, and developing an integrated environment that blends traditional marketing with experiential, digital and social.

For the last 6 years, Pritesh has been working on promoting the impact connectivity and the mobile industry is having on the world.

He has built and delivered campaigns, teams, and events that have span the globe, generating content that has reached millions online.

Pritesh also works hard on maintaining a work-life balance. With his young family, they are always planning or going on the next adventure, seeing as much of the world as possible, watching the latest Disney masterpiece, or getting covered in paint, play-doh, or glitter.

GSMA Wrap Up!

I joined the GSMA in 2015 and had no idea what an incredible journey I was about to go on.

Through various campaigns and events, I got to tell some great stories, impact some change, travel around the world and meet some amazing people.

It was challenging at times and I’ve definitely grown and learnt much about myself .

This video encapsulates some of the key moments from my time at the GSMA.