SPARKIN, LLC

01/15/2026

Congratulations to Shriya Karlapudi, the 5th recipient of Shepley Parkin Empathy Award, a prize judged and selected by medical staff at Kings. Shriya receives £1000 and three coaching sessions.

Our best chance of connecting with and influencing others requires us putting ourselves in the shoes of those we seek to influence. A critical skill, now more so than ever.

Alongside curiosity I have always believed those that are natural empaths are well equipped to rule the commercial world.

For healthcare, empathy is not about ruling but something far more meaningful, the opportunity to heal.

‘Effective’ healers (even time constrained) instinctively know how to connect with a patient. The best, routinely practice the behaviours that lead to the ability to connect with others: Suspending judgement, asking great questions, focusing their listening with a desire to truly understand

These habits are the habits for which the Shepley Parkin Empathy Prize is designed to motivate.

This award programme, for second-year trainee doctors at Kings College Hospital, will run through 2030.

‘Thank you,’ to the teaching faculty at Kings for all your hard work.

06/13/2024

Freelancers/Consultants 6/14/23 - Is it harder getting work now?

Of course we all know the answer. The question is, have you adapted the way you're looking for it?

We all start with connections/referrals but even they aren't working so well so then what?

Jobs boards/Social media? If your hunting for freelance in the same way everyone else, you might find you are up against alot of quality competition. What to do?

Either:
i) Better differentiate. How? Talk 'specifically' about what your ideal is and in so doing be overlooked by the algorithm on many occasions! But 'not' overlooked when the algorithm is looking for the very specific role that you have said you want. Being really specific when you just want work, is counter intuitive if you want to be considered for as many roles as possible, but it's the smart way to pursue the work you want, versus any work.

ii) Better targeting - 'If' you know your strengths and better still, what work excites you, you're then a step closer to avoiding chasing the pack.
Don't wait for jobs or work to be advertised. Instead, proactively approach those brands or agencies you wish to work with.
This approach takes more time, but you'll feel more empowered as you will be talking to your strengths and on the front foot versus the lottery of social media postings.

For more on business development, (which I've been doing for way too long either as a consultant or running my own business )starting with targeting, I will be having a seminar first half July.

To register your interest and for more details, email: [email protected]

Until then, stay positive, keep focused and politely persistent - It will happen for you.

06/11/2024

Feeling motivated?
This starts with having business/work goals that excite you.
Even in a challenging job hunt/next freelance gig, don’t target anything/everything.
Rule 1, ‘Be picky!’
You’ll be show up more motivated (there are plenty of others that are excited about the work that doesn’t excite you)and you’ll get work faster!

03/06/2024

Mount Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge hike. The air this far south smells great. The lack of pollution however means you easily and quickly fry in this part of the world. Several people warned me to get the sunblock on. I think I started the hike putting it on! What a beautiful place to briefly escape the worries of the world.

01/24/2024

‘What we see is based mainly on what we look for.’ (Sir John Lubbock) So when you only see bad stuff, perhaps you’re looking for it!

06/14/2023

Many congratulations to Zach Behrmann the newest Derek Parkin 'Empathy' Award winner and the recipient of $1500 cash prize and three coaching sessions.
It was great to speak with Zach as well as having sessions with the other students. What a pleasure talking with a group of truly curious individuals.
Congratulations to all the students: Magnus de Pencier, Kumar Derrow, Ian Falcon, Abbidee Fraser, Divesh Mehta, James Murphy, Veronica Pedraza, Phoebe Scherer and Jonanna Ying.
Also, big thanks to all the lecturers: Christopher Owens, Alicia Damiano, Nancy Chang and Craig Sabbatino.
This award was judged through input both with students and the lecturers.
And, thank you also to Manolo Garcia, the fulcrum around which the boot camps happen.
Why this award? At SPARKIN, we would like to see many more empaths in the world.
The ability to work seamlessly and effectively, starts with a determination and ability to effectively understand others. This 'empathetic' ability is key for effective strategic problem solvers as it is for a functioning society!
Our world could really benefit from folks suspending their beliefs, being truly curious and genuinely trying to put themselves in the shoes of others, believing there’s something to be learnt through every interaction.

05/15/2023

If you love healthcare, are an integrated strategist with DTC/HCP and have consulting experience/love fronting up to and advising clients on how to build thier businesses, prefer an entrepreneurial/self-starter to a corporate environment, regard culture as really important and want a working environment that genuinely lives the credo 'we care about our people,' if your growth is important and so working with smart individuals is also key, plus you want flexibility in in-person attendance, then contact me.

12/22/2022

Many congratulations to Stephanie Brint, the newest Parkin 'Empathy' Award winner from Miami Ad School's Strategy Bootcamp. Stephanie receives $1500 and three coaching sessions.

The ability to work (and live) effectively, starts with a determination to understand the perspective of others and act positively based on that understanding. This 'empathetic' ability is key for effective strategic problem solvers as it is for a functioning society!

Congratulations to all the students and a big shout out to the instructors, Vanessa Amaral, Christopher Owens and Nancy Chang, who I know from talking with the students, inspired and brought about newfound perspective and confidence.

12/02/2022

Which agencies want great strategic thinking?

The road to nirvana let alone a next great career role, can indeed be long and winding. There are some agencies that we know strategy/planning is pivotal and…

11/16/2022

It was amazing being back 'in person' and able to present/honor Emelia Pasternak-Albert, the 33rd recipient of a ‘Parkin Empathy Award. A second-year trainee doctor at Kings College Hospital, Emelia has an incredible history of understanding and compassionate activity. She has many achievements including proactively working with children with learning difficulties, those experiencing mental health issues at colleges and those with substance addictions. Emily wrote a Maudsley Newsletter on being empathetic towards agitated people in distress in relation to deaths due to over-restraint in custody. She's presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrists on working with people accessing psychiatric services on how they need to feel empowered and heard. Emily is an amazing recipient, who has repeatedly taken initiative to prove her desire to promote a better understanding and with it, a desire to help others. Many congratulations to her.

08/19/2022

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartparkin/recent-activity/shares/
Empathy award for advertising and beyond..

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