Powering Productivity

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In this episode Suzanne is joined by Jeannine Van Der Linden, founder and manager, of de Kamer, a network of coworking spaces in the Netherlands.

She’s also Managing Partner of Open Coworking, a global movement dedicated to the values of Collaboration, Openness, Community, Accessibility, and Sustainability, and is Director of Sustainability and Accessibility & Founding Member & Manager for its partner, the European Coworking Assembly.

Before Jeannine came to the Netherlands, she was a practising lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, and is still active in the areas of business litigation, contract review, and litigation.

They talk about:

What are the common goals that lie behind coworking communities?
The 'coworking sector' versus 'coworking movement'
Making conscious choices around communities
How do we create more meaningful & inclusive relationships?
Accidental entrepreneurs
Centred coworking spaces
European Coworking Assembly ambitions & projects & driving the momentum behind them

Learn more about Jeannine here

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In this episode Suzanne is joined by Lucy McInally, 'The Inclusive Coworker'; an experienced content writer specifically for businesses within the coworking movement & a big coworking & coliving advocate.

They talk about:

What community in the workplace means to different people?
Becoming more pirate...a willingness to think differently & challenge the norm
What is an 'inclusive coworker'?
How do we create more meaningful relationships?
Experiences of working in smaller, independent coworking spaces v larger, branded city centric spaces
Creating a space that gives a 'safe space', a sense of fulfilment & belonging
Bringing ideas to life, not just talk...

Learn more about Lucy here - https://lucymcinally.com/

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Small, local & independent can create magic! In this episode Suzanne is joined by Bernie Mitchell, from the London Coworking Assembly. A seasoned expert who's been around the coworking scene for about as long as coworking's been around! A huge advocate, writer, podcaster & coach he's a champion for us smaller, more local & independent flexible workspace operators & communities.

They chat about:

What nuances & added values do smaller & more regional flex spaces bring versus bigger city brands?
Humanity in the workplace
What drives that sense of belonging, engagement & fulfilment for members?
Understanding & delivering on those unique team & individual member dynamics, requirements, personalities & nuances
How coaching can help coworking operators and other SME business owners through partnership, support, checking in & accountability

https://berniejmitchell.com/

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Suzanne welcomes back William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland. They dive into:

Possibilities & perspectives of regional v city centric working.
What are the options out there?
What are the flex office operator alternatives to the well know bigger brands like WeWork?
What needs to change to level up access & opportunities for regional working alongside city centric?
Is the narrative around flexible office workplaces more geared towards corporates than SME's & freelancers?
What are some of the 'wins' & 'game-changers' for successful hybrid teams?William’s expertise is very much around learning & development and he comes at this from very creative angles, realising potential, unique skills & cultures that already exist and moving away from just focusing on 'plugging the gaps'. Find out more about William and Manabu -⁠ ⁠https://www.manabulearning.com/⁠⁠Find out more about Grow Remote on their website - ⁠⁠growremote.ie⁠⁠This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of ⁠The Hub Newry⁠. It was produced by ⁠Emily Crosby Media⁠

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Suzanne welcomes back William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland. They explore & chat about:

What does a successful hybrid team looks like? The wins, the transformations & challenges?
The normalisation of the return to the office, how can we take a more agile, inclusive approach
The value of trust in remote working
Embracing the individual in hybrid, remote & office workingWilliam’s expertise is very much around learning & development and he comes at this from very creative angles, realising potential, unique skills & cultures that already exist and moving away from just focusing on 'plugging the gaps'. He uses an assets & strengths-based philosophy through digital games & simulations, quoting “We all have enormous potential it’s just about realising it.”Find out more about William and Manabu -⁠ https://www.manabulearning.com/⁠Find out more about Grow Remote on their website - ⁠growremote.ie⁠This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of ⁠The Hub Newry⁠. It was produced by ⁠Emily Crosby Media⁠

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Suzanne talks to Andrea Splendori, founder of Social Fabric and accomplished life and career coach.

They chat about how creating the environment where individuals can thrive at work, through coaching & mentoring at both a team & individual levels.

Here are some of the topics discussed: - Andrea's move from Italy to Ireland

Building community and a healthy ecosystem
How coaching works & what it embodies
The benefits of coaching for teams & individuals in today's workplace
Different forms of coaching and mentoring
The challenges and barriers to coaching in the current climate

Andrea Splendori is a coach with a particular interest in corporate wellbeing and a primary focus on team building, and group coaching. Having relocated to Ireland from Italy, Andrea previously managed a worldwide team of software engineers in the localization business. And since then his passion for conversations has led him to work in radio, create and host his own podcast, as well as live chat shows in theatres and panel hosting.

Find out more about Andrea and Social Fabric - https://www.socialfabric.ie/

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of ⁠The Hub Newry⁠. It was produced by ⁠Emily Crosby Media⁠

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Suzanne talks to William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland.

They chat around the rapid evolution & benefits that hybrid & remote working can bring to employers, employees & communities as well as the effects of changing flexible workplace industry as a whole.

Here are some of the topics discussed:

Learning & development, realising potential, unique skills & cultures
His role as a Chapter Lead for Grow Remote-The magic & potential for remote working in Ireland
The benefits of remote working for employers and employees
The challenges of rolling out remote working more broadly
Why younger generations are more keen to work remotely

William’s expertise is very much around learning & development and he comes at this from very creative angles, realising potential, unique skills & cultures that already exist and moving away from just focusing on 'plugging the gaps'. He uses an assets & strengths-based philosophy through digital games & simulations, quoting “We all have enormous potential it’s just about realising it.”

He’s also spent time in telecommunications, he’s a qualified community youth worker and facilitates learning and development through coaching & mentoring.

Find out more about William and Manabu - https://www.manabulearning.com/

Find out more about Grow Remote on their website - growremote.ie

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Joanne Mangan, Employer's Lead with Grow Remote.

We look at the solutions that hybrid & remote working can bring to employers, employees & communities as well as the flexible workplace industry as a whole.

Originally founded in 2018, the ethos of Grow Remote is about enabling people to live and work wherever best suits them and for communities across Ireland to become more sustainable and connected, both socially and economically.

As Employer's Lead, Joanne engages with employers at every stage of their remote working journey. She manages the partnerships with Ireland's leading remote first organisations, and helps employers who wants to make that transition to remote or hybrid work. She's a regular media contributor on this topic, and is passionate about the potential it can bring as a driver of equality, diversity and inclusion. Prior to joining Grow Remote, she worked for a number of multinational technology companies, managing distribution teams, and enabling channel partners.

They talk about:

The ethos of Grow Remote
The solutions (and some challenges) hybrid working can bring to employers, employees & communities
Why hybrid working is so popular
Finding remote & hybrid jobs
Why remote working is an ongoing community project
Changing the workplace to be remote first
Encouraging remote work in Northern Ireland
Tips for remote working from the employee and the employer perspective

Find out more about Grow Remote on their website - growremote.ie

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Alison Matthews founder of the award winning Virtuali

Alison is a whizz at helping entrepreneurs automate processes around running course / events (online / face to face) to be a virtual set of hands, eyes & ears. She understands the complexities of running a business, juggling all the hats and getting swamped IN the business rather than having the time to work ON it and the things you love.

She is a recent co-author of ‘The Virtual Assistant Starter E-Guide’ & won ‘2020 VA of the Year, Northern Ireland’ in the VA Awards.

Her passions are wild swimming, community projects, connecting people & dachshunds!

Alison is a master at all things productivity and everything she does comes with energy and amazing drive!

They talk about:

· How the world of virtual assistant has evolved over the last few years

· Key challenges that audiences are facing in the workplace right now

· Most successful virtual solutions for business owners out there in the remote & hybrid world of work

· How networking has changed

· Tips for helping the business owner to delegate areas of their business

· Why is she focusing in on the automation of process & running courses & events online?

· Top tips for those business owners & remote workers out there to help them get organised and reach optimal potential

Here's some links to Alison's virtual resources:

The Virtual Assistant Starter E-Guide Kindle Edition

To the free resource ‘Outsourcing Time Sucking Tasks Checklist Template’

Free resources on Alison's Virtuali website

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to freelance catalyst, Carol Conway of www.freelancecatalyst.com

Carol’s a lifelong Behavioural Scientist with a passion in human dynamics and a deep belief in people. She has worked with CEOs, management teams and Boards of numerous organisations, much of this being in the voluntary and community sector and on given day that can include training, facilitation, leadership development or coaching.

She’s also a yoga teacher and they were really keen to delve into, quite unbeknown to Suzanne (even though she loves yoga) how this really intertwines with the whole dynamic of leadership.

They talk about -

Leadership in the continually evolving workplace with diverse team cultures & working models
Carol's background and work with Common Purpose Ireland
How to manage diverse teams
The loneliness of leadership
How leadership has changed with the increase in flexible and remote working
Compassion and communication in leadership
How Carol's yoga teaching informs her leadership work

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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I’ve spoken to six wonderful women this series drawing in threads of sustainability, flexibility and work/life balance.

You can find all six episodes of series 2 here https://podfollow.com/powering-productivity

I’m taking a break over the summer, then I’ll be back later in the year with a whole new selection of interviewees.

In the meantime, you can find me at thehubnewry.com and listen to any of my past episodes there.

Have a lovely summer.

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to coach Mel Wiggins MBE from www.melwiggins.com

They talk about -

Mel's background in community work and activism
Knowing yourself and your energy levels in business
Challenging the narrative and boundaries that hold us back & why we struggle to delegate
Finding the audience, content strategy, branding & way of doing things that's right for you & fits with your life
Why Mel's content strategy is intentionally longer and slower than most
Treating new ideas as experiments

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Tara Prendergast ofBiscuit Business School, a leading business mentor for small businesses in the creative sector. They talk about

How can the right workplace environment ground you & bring out your best self
What rituals can we put in place to help set us up for the day
Are you showing up as your authentic self in your business
Tara's work with Trinity Business School
Guiding creatives in business
Nurturing yourself as the foundation of your business
What makes creatives different
How to nurture creativity in your own business
Overcoming anxiety about presentations

Find out more about Tara from her websites www.biscuitbusinessschool.com and www.thebiscuitfactory.ie

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Victoria Salomon, founder of Ixchel Massage & Movement Therapies - a pain and movement specialist who helps transform underlying health challenges as well as workplace worries often with simple changes. We can gradually move from a state of almost paralysis or burnout into consistent productivity be it in our business, home or life in general. She likens those of us who obliviously fall victim to overload that builds up over time a bit like a neglected, unserviced car that can one day just decide to go into paralysis and stop functioning.

They talk about:

Victoria's journey from addiction and trauma to health and transforming this expertise to help others
How sometimes "in the workplace we become exceptionally mindless to our bodies" - we can counteract this with simple awareness techniques
Are relationships at work making you feel uncomfortable, affecting your energy and health?
Why we should maintain our bodies like we do our cars
Feeling safe and nourished at work
The Ixchel System in the workplace

"If we can connect with one sensation of safety, even in our own body, that is the beginning".

Find out more about the Ixchel System and contact Victoria on her website www.ixcheltherapies.co.uk

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Melanie Burnier, founder of The Work Hub in Switzerland (with locations in Vevey and Bulle). Melanie, is also CoPresident of the Swiss Association of Coworking and is a big advocate of coworking in rural areas.

They talk about:

coworking is the alternative to commuting - the balance between productivity & social interaction
the benefits of remote working from flexible workspaces - the structure, productivity and engagement that it brings
how as an industry we can work more collectively to engage with employers and spread the positive, sustainable impact that remote working can bring from various different perspectives
Adaptations since the pandemic - infrastructure / balancing volumes & acoustics / new contactless access
Melanie's predictions for the future of flexible work for employees, freelancers and employers alike

"Everyone that's been able to successfully work from home during the pandemic should also be able to work productively from a coworking or a flexible workspace if that's available to them and that way they're better able to balance their optimum output & social interaction".

Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/melanie76vevey/

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Russell Zehtab of Silk Mentoring, an educator and trainer in growth and relations and has vast experience in working with a diverse range of clients from around the globe. With a magnetic personality and positive outlook on life she's an awesome approach on how live and work in our highest energy zones and be our most authentic and compassionate selves.

They talk about:

Russell's signature conceptual framework
How to sustain and operate in from our highest energy
Our most productive and natural work environments

Find more about Russell at her website www.silkmentoring.com or follow her on Instagram @silkmentoring

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Emily Crosby - a media editor, producer and consultant on a mission to make your media work for you as efficiently and productively as possible.

With experience in academia and broadcasting, Emily works with small businesses on podcasts, videos, online courses and publications.

They talk about:

Podcasting for business
How to start your own podcast
Choosing the right equipment
Making your media stand out
How and when to outsource editing

Find more about Emily at her website emilycrosbymedia.com and follow her on Instagram @emilycrosbymedia

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Deborah Lynch - an experienced accountant who has partnered with a wide range of CEOs, executives, and solopreneurs to grow their businesses.

Having spent over twenty years working across a wide range of businesses both as an operations manager and as a financial controller she has a unique insight into managing the day-to-day operations of small and medium sized business.

They talk about:

The advantages and disadvantages of new apps for accounting and business systems
The challenges created by Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocols and the Covid pandemic
Complying with GDPR
How a quality management system could free up your time
Becoming comfortable with delegating as the owner of small business

Find more about Deborah at www.thetaxcafeni.com or connect with her on LinkedIn

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Ilona Brannen - a consultant who works with fast growing tech companies as well as individuals around leadership, storytelling and brand imaging.

Ilona uses her knowledge and expertise to successfully bring companies into the digital world focusing on people (leadership and training), processes and systems in order to build and scale their success at speed. She amplifies energy at scale.

They talk about:

Getting the best out of teams in the digital space
Improving your leadership skills
The challenges women still face in the workplace
How to use storytelling at work
How understanding your motivation can improve your branding

Find more about Ilona at www.ilonabrannen.com or connect with her on LinkedIn

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Jane Sartin - Chief Exec of the Flexible Space Association.

The Flexible Space Association is the trade association representing, supporting and promoting the flexible workspace sector across the UK.

They talk about:

The evolution of the office model & how we interact
New trends in flexible workspace industry
A workspace surge towards the regions but still a requirement for city hubs
The standout demands for choice, personalisation, bringing productivity & energy
Technology and sustainability in the workplace
The recent FlexSA conference

@JaneFlexSA

Twitter & Instagram - @FlexSA_UK

www.flexsa.co.uk

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Carmel Seery of carmelseery.com, a management accountant.

Carmel helps small business owners get control of their business, by helping them build simple processes so that they will always know their cashflow.

They talk about

Establishing an accounting process
Money mindset - Pricing - Setting soulful goals - what stories do you tell yourself about money and how this can affect your bottom line revenue
Outsourcing financial work, when's the right time and how to find a good accountant

www.carmelseery.com

5:13 "Finance is like a partner in your business. All the answers are there."

13:07 "Pricing is really about where you see your business and your services in the market"

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry

It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Zoe Ellis-Moore CEO & Founder at Spaces to Places.

Zoe has built an 18-year career out of being passionate about commercial spaces and how people engage with them. In her role at Spaces to Places, she works with investors, landlords, franchisees, and operators in the flexible office space. Her approach is built on the concept of marketing intelligence – driving value through research-led market insights that make a difference.

They talk about

balancing consumer need with commercial interest
new models for office leases and set ups
how planning your work schedule can inform where and how you work

6:02 'It's the smaller independents that bring that creativity and vibrancy to an office space'

12:47 'Time is the commodity now'

23:00 'Technology has been the enabler to allow people to have the freedom to work anywhere'

www.spacestoplaces.co.uk

This episode was presented by Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry

It was produced by Emily Crosby Media

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Suzanne talks to Alison Matthews of Virtuali. Alison specialises in helping entrepreneurs automate processes around running course / events (online / face to face) to be a virtual set of hands, eyes & ears.

They talk about

automation and planning for an easier working life
collaboration not competition with other VAs
Alison's love of wild swimming and connecting with nature

'You have to have a helicopter overview of what’s happening in the business, how it works and what it’s all about so as you can really see what areas can be more automated and productive.'

13:16 'To me, planning is a massive part of being productive'

20:47 'When you find that niche of what you want to do, it creates lots of energy for you, and then when you talk about it, because you talk about it in a passionate way, other people buy into it as well'

www.virtuali.uk

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Suzanne talks to Eimear Flannagan of Away a Wee Walk founder of Away A 'Wee' Walk, set up back in 2013.

Eimear is passionate about helping visitors to Ireland create magical, authentic, spirit-renewing experiences, hiking in the Irish landscape.

Suzanne talks to Eimear about her your love affair & business partnership with The National Trust and surviving lockdown as an outdoor business. They chat from the perspective of getting down to business, getting an understanding of she you carves out the time, the energy to focus on the nitty gritty of the business strategy, admin & marketing side of the business. Often very creative, outdoors people struggle in an office environment, so Eimear chats about the secrets of balancing this out....Here's a synopsis of the conversation:

Her collaboration with the National Trust
Surviving lockdown as an outdoor business
Her use of Instagram to increase online presence and reach a whole new audience
Selling Northern Ireland
Avoiding isolation and outsourcing
What productivity means to her

2:53 'I thought, whatever else this virus is doing, it's not taking my business'

16:20 'My focus is on being happy'

www.awayaweewalk.com

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Suzanne talks to Yasmin Vorajee of Tiny Time Big Results, about finding the value in your abilities, her four principles of running a profitable business with limited time, and making the most of the time you have available generally in work and play. We talk about the super concepts and toolkits that Yasmin equips small business owners with:

-Nailing your marketing message so that it's clear, compelling and magnetic

-Her amazing, award winning book - 'Tiny Time, Big Results!

-Mindset and who you surround yourself with

-Being your real self in business, not who you're expected to be

-Her programmes and mentoring

www.yasminvorajee.com

5:05 "Business should make you feel really good. You should feel enthusiastic about what you're doing"

20:00 "Focus on the problem that you're solving, and build a business around that"

Learn more about Yasmin Vorajee and her work:

https://yasminvorajee.com/

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Episode 5 with Susan HayesCulleton, “The Positive Economist” and Managing Director of the Hayes Culleton Group. We talk about identifying your financial thermostat, your patterns with money, saving for a 'sunny day', how to really take control and dare to succeed and her amazing work to get teenagers financially savvy.

www.savvywomenonline.com

"An awful lot of financial management has nothing to do with money. It's to do with being organised." (8:55)

"Think about a rainy day fund as a sunny day fund. It's there to give you financial opportunity." (14:08)

"You can of course be good with money. It, of course, can be learned. It's not inherent." (30:56)

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Episode 4 with Jean-Yves Huwart Founder of Coworking Europe launched back in 2010 & founder of Social Workplaces - a consultancy firm focusing in on the education and benefits of coworking and flexible workplaces, leading edge innovation and new workplace models.

https://coworkingeurope.net/

socialworkplaces.com

We discuss how we can take the concept of ‘flexible working’ & coworking and make it work really smartly for us as individuals. How can we use these workspaces to make best value of our time, our personalities to lead to more productive, energetic, connected & happy lives. Are flex spaces for everyone and how do we choose the right space for us.

"What they say a workspace should be, in terms of engagement, hot desking, the way people should be able to socialise, small meeting pods, etc. is totally in line with what we used to say in the beginning, and also now, for coworking spaces" (10:07)

"What will be amazing to watch now, and to be part in, is this total redesign of the workspace experience that we are going to see" (30:50).

Jean-Yves Huwart.

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Want to know the secrets to personal & business growth that are underpinned by our values, skills & purpose?

Tune in to this episode where Suzanne is in conversation with Russell Zehtab - an experienced mentor, educator & coach with an infectious, energetic outlook on life. She has a very diverse background and has dedicated all of her energies in to aiding the advancement and empowerment of individuals from both a business and a personal perspective.

Russell's conceptual framework is 'The Silk Mentoring Empowerment Cycle'. It's an interactive, learning methodology, focusing in on personal skills including confidence, boundary setting, negotiation, authenticity - skills which are all tied together to improve our communication style, language, and expression.

One element of this very much focuses in on the concept of 'nobility' - it changes the way that we engage with each other, it allows for an equality despite our differences in education, background. "What ever has divided us as human beings nobility will allow us to come into a space as equals".

Some of the areas highlighted in this conversation are how "as humans we have really complicated our lives by compartmentalising our learnings in to 'business' & 'personal'. We need to bring this into a holistic approach where it is all in balance as one, otherwise, it is just not sustainable." Russell Zehtab.

learn more about Russell Zehtab's Silk Mentoring Empowerment Cycle here:

https://silkmentoring.com/

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In this podcast Suzanne talks to Eve about discovering people's true identity be it within their business or career or life in general. We discuss the toolkits and the processes that she uses to do this including the model to tell your 'signature story' and how to identity your 'why', your purpose and then how to repurposes these tools to reach your target audience.

"Let me help you shorten your learning curve and find your true North!" Eve Earley, Empowering Change https://empowering-change.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveearley/

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In this short episode, Suzanne introduces the podcast, who she'll be speaking to, and how it can help your business.

Powering Productivity: Recent Episodes

Suzanne Murdock