http://www.mcfmprojects2ltd.co.uk/

MCFM Projects2, 12 London Mews, London (2026)

27/08/2020

Reflections
Spotlight on a Covid-19 Teen

When lockdown started some of us were apprehensive, uncertain about how we would survive and what the impact would be on our daily lives and families.

Schools closed and this created a different, new and daunting family dynamic; my child is going to be at home full time and they are young;
* how am I going to keep them entertained?
* how am I going to homeschool while I work?
* how will my child maintain friendships during lockdown?
* how will we cope in such a small space?
* How am I going to work?

My child is a teenager, and when schools closed it posed a different set of questions;
* what will happen to all her activities?
* what will happen with school work?
* She has GCSEs how will these be impacted?
* How will she maintain her friendships?
* What will we do for her birthday during lockdown?
* How do I keep her motivated to keep things going?

I’m sure there are many more questions, however for a teenager these were the prominent ones that we have come across and had to deal with.

In the beginning motivation is naturally high, we were keen the maintain the ‘normal’ routine but then over time there was a shift, loneliness sets in, lack of face to face interaction creates a void in the teen’s life (especially if they have a lot of close friends). Issues that came up were harder to resolve and more emotionally charged than before, you have to learn new habits and ways to communicate with your teen.

Sadly, we hear about teen relationships with parents that have broken down, teens suffering from mental health issues due to no/limited social interaction, limited space (in and outdoors)and it is going to take a long time to recover from lockdown for many.

Social media has become the focal point for creating our new normal ‘going out’, staying in contact with family and friends, continuing activities via media platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, (just to name a few),we know which ones they are.

Social media has been a lifeline in a lot of ways for teens, but then not in other ways. Realising that we are all different and have preferred methods of interaction was just one of the many lessons learned. Preferring activities face to face and not the internet is a choice teenagers make because of their personalities.

Acceptance of teen decisions was another lesson learnt as a parent and letting go of preconceptions about how a teenager should be responding during this time ...just went out the window. Thankfully!

Getting creative during lockdown was fun, finding your new normal does not have to be a chore, in fact many colleagues, friends, family have used the time to reflect and take the benefits from the lockdown experience to form the foundation of their new normal. Time, we now have plenty and how we use this gift is really up to us.

Going back to school, the teachers have done so much to make schools safe for our children, there are a lot of positive and negative debates in the media at the moment, it’s a very contentious issue right now (which I’m not going to discuss here).

I’m obsessive about hygiene however, I know that going back to school is best for my teen. She strives on structure, face to face interaction, listening and gaining feedback from her teachers, socialising with her peers - all the things that have been missing during lockdown.

The school have been brilliant at setting online work for students and I have nothing but praise for them.

We have masks, wipes, sanitiser on tap. All you can do is ensure your teen is safe and they have taken measures to protect themselves as they venture back into the new normal way of life.

12/07/2020

Reflections

Despite COVID-19 we are still experiencing new business start ups and strong entrepreneurialism.
In my local town I noted an American Candy store, as I wondered round the shop I thought wow good for you!

The fact is we remain consumers of knowledge, goods, services, resources and as a functional society this will not change. It maybe packaged in a different way I.e. digitalised, but we continue to consume.

Top tips - 18 ways to Kill a startup!! Avoid them if you can and make sure you do your research. Some examples have been given, these are based on personal experiences.. whilst there are many examples do not be discouraged if you feel you have a great business idea.

1. Single founder - this might be unavoidable in the beginning there is a lot of support to help you succeed in business.
Network and consider who will be the best fit to come onboard with you.

2. Bad location - depending on your business not selecting the right location can kill your business before you’ve even started.
I used to be a landlady, the location of our business meant heavy marketing and advertising to reach our target markets, our strategy to differentiate us from the competition meant more in entertainment and events... Think before you commit.

3. Marginal niche- your business needs to be scalable - if you are not growing your business will not survive..how are you going to scale up? Offer more services, duplicate your business across regions, markets and opportunities identified

4. Derivative idea

5. Obstinacy- no profit he’ll no go

6. Bad hires- don’t compromise the wrong people in your business can cause reputational and finance damage as well as lower team morale.. sometimes you recruit and during the probation period, things do not work out, it happens, end it and move on.

7. Wrong platform- all cloud based and integrated

8. Slowness in launching

9. Launching too early

10. Honing no specific user in mind
11. Raising too little

12. Spending too much
13. Raising too much

14. Poor investor management

15. Sacrifice users

16. Not getting your hands dirty - hello this is your business, your creation, if not you then who? To get results you have to put in the work.

17. Fights between founders - agreement consequences

18. A 1/2 hearted effort

Benefits of having a partner
1. Solution together
2. Share ideas
3. Grow together
4. Split the tasks
5. Plan strategise
6. Sounding board

03/03/2020

Reflections
“Ave you seen my calendar?”
Just because it’s not full doesn’t mean that you’re doing Jack

Sometimes we all have a tendency to put appointments in ours diaries back to back, however, is this an effective way to manage our days and our diaries??

Depending on your job role and responsibilities, you may not get a choice but to cram appointments in back to back just to get through the volume of tasks and meetings warranted to “get the job done”.

Sometimes colleagues will simply add an appointment to your diary when a simple phone call would suffice, or in fact another colleagues response would be perfectly fine.

Where is time in your diary
- for thinking ?
- for reflection ?
- for planning ?
- for preparation for meetings ?

If you cram your diary then you end up not having time to do the most important things . I read a book once that said 10-15 minutes before you start your day spent planning and preparing would save you time and make you 20% more productivity. Who wouldn’t want that😁

I tend to keep my diary fairly clear apart from regular meetings for projects for weekly updates for one to ones, then I plan my day and schedule my activities in as I’m doing them. It enables me to be fluid and flexible to meet the needs of others, whether it is a catch up for updating project progress, advice, or simply a coffee or lunch.

I don’t think you need to cram meetings in back to back, it’s not productive and it’s quite stressful so I actually only do this by exception. Does it mean that I’m not busy? I don’t think so, I just think it’s give me the space and the freedom that I need to work and maximise my output.

So, some of my tips when scheduling appointments, and being more efficient;

- checking the person’s diary first and if you can see that there are a lot of appointments back to back, always visit the scheduler and check to see when the person is free, it saves you getting bounce backs, and it makes you a little bit more efficient with making diary appointments.
- another thing that I do is I call in advance, especially if it’s more than one person that I need to coordinate a time with, that’s normally quite good because then you already know the window of opportunity for a meeting with them (especially if they’re not based in your team).
- Be kind, executives in demanding roles, often have limited time and literally bounce from one meeting to another, everyday of the week and weekends!. Remember they need time to think, reflect, plan and prepare.
- The 15-30 minute rule. Always leave a gap of at least 15-30 mins in your own or the other person’s diary when you are scheduling appointments with or for others.
- The benefit of giving people space means, they have time to think about the topic of the meeting and prepare. The quality of conversation and output from the meeting will be much more meaningful, fruitful and positive.

Just a few points to help you work more efficiently with your diary and when making appointments.
Feel free to share and leave comments.

Happy Tuesday🤗

20/02/2020

Our Services
Clients and suppliers are not always able to budget for a full time interim however, still have a need for support and assistance in areas of their FM business. We manage all IR35 requirements on your behalf.

We provide an advisory and support service, which offers a number of hours/days per month to work on specific projects and advise on FM related issues.

Clients will have direct access to me and my team of Associates who have expertise across the FM industry.
Our approach is flexible.
For example, you would commit to a 12 month contract, results and output are monitored and reviewed on a monthly basis.

Areas of expertise covered,
- Transition and mobilisations
- FM change management
- Supply chain rationalisation
- Supply chain management
- Procurement strategy
-Operational FM change and restructuring
- Troubleshooting
- Mentoring and coaching advice for FM professionals within your company.

The service offers unlimited calls and emails queries
Monthly meeting
Full reporting and recommendations
Employees can also use our advisory service for any FM related enquiries.

Give me a call to discuss. I'm contactable on +44(0)7834275530

Regards
Max

18/02/2020

Reflections
If you want to succeed in your life, remember this phrase: The past does not equal the future. Because you failed yesterday, or all day today, or a moment ago, or for the last six months, the last 16 years, or the last 50 years of your life, doesn’t mean anything…the future is in your hands to make of it what you will....

18/02/2020

Reflections
If you want to succeed in your life, remember this phrase: The past does not equal the future. Because you failed yesterday, or all day today, or a moment ago, or for the last six months, the last 16 years, or the last 50 years of your life, doesn’t mean anything…the future is whatever you choose to make it, your destiny is in your hands ❤️

03/02/2020

Reflections
Working collaboratively with others can yield great results and a sense of accomplishment on a personal and professional level.
Taking on tasks alone means at times, you can get swamped in the detail, and this can lead to a feeling of being isolated and questioning you capability.
It’s not all negative, sometimes their are tasks you have to knuckle down and get through by yourself, in such cases, do take the time to bounce your ideas off others.
Being part of a team, well.... you know what they say “more brains are better than just one”.

Recognise the skills others bring to your team, if you get an opportunity nurture them. Their success is your success.

Happy Monday!

01/02/2020

Reflections
The Bitter Pill
Do you ever get those moments in your life when you have to swallow a bitter pill, from the moment it enters your mouth you're gagging and screwing your face up. The shear fact is that it's going down whether you like it or not. Drat !!
What happened to cause having to take the dam pill in the first place ? Could it have been avoided?
Good question ...

31/01/2020

Reflections
“Fly” in the face of adversity

When issues arise we are still primitive human beings.

Heard of the fight or flight response ? Well it still exists the difference is that in the past a caveman with a spear sporting a very bad hair day and most likely very challenging body odour would stare down a mammoth and either fancy his chances aka fight or run for the hills aka flight response . It was all about basic human needs and survival , food , clothing , tools.

Scroll forward to present day, and consider this, are we much different than the caveman?
Not really... let me explain
Using a computer but you lack understanding or cannot type you can fight I.e face your weaknesses and learn how to type then operate the computer or flight this is just too difficult. Your survival doesn’t depend on it but fleeing will limit your career options

Where else does fight or flight exist in modern day

* Being out of work
* Family problems
* Challenging children
* Challenging peers at work
* A very demanding boss
* Lack of diversity in the workplace
* Lack of equality
* Financial challenges
* Relationship challenges
* Business challenges the list is endless

On the face of it all the simple fact remains;
* You are in control of the outcome
* You still have a Choice even though you may not feel that way when you are in the thick of it all
* You can change your situation
* You can still make a difference

Just figure out what you need and who you need to introduce into your life or business to make the changes.

Like it or not, we are modern day cave-persons with the same guttural fight or flight responses instead they are more psychological and emotionally complex like a web of connected parts made so from modern day living, our environment, technology advancements and so on

So what you gonna do? Fight or take flight ?

FYI I’m a fighter, what are you??

27/01/2020

24/01/2020

Reflections
Managing Stress Part 2

So here are 20 ways to combat stress. You maybe familiar with some of them, however, it is always good to be reminded.

1. Work off stress
2. Talk to someone you trust
3. Learn to accept what you cannot change
4. Avoid self medication
5. Get enough sleep to recharge your batteries
6. Take time out to play
7. Do something for others
8. Take one thing at a time
9. Agree with somebody
10. Manage your time better
11. Plan ahead
12. If you are Ill, do to try to carry on as if you are not
13. Develop a hobby
14. The answer lies with you
15. Eat sensible and exercise
16. Don’t put off relaxing
17. Don’t be afraid to say No
18. Know when you are tired and do something about it
19. Delegate responsibility
20. Be realistic about perfection

21/01/2020

Reflections
Managing Stress Part 1

Over 30 years ago wise words were shared with me and I have kept them all this time.
It’s time to share them with you.

1- Slow down, why race the clock
2- Avoid getting angry over things you can do nothing about
3- Practice being a good listener
4- Smile

MCFM Projects2

27/08/2020

12/07/2020

03/03/2020

20/02/2020

18/02/2020

18/02/2020

03/02/2020

01/02/2020

31/01/2020

27/01/2020

24/01/2020

21/01/2020

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