tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974073185777251212024-03-05T05:59:47.225-08:00Link4Growth - What if we knew you?The national Link4Growth blog... Keeping you up to date with all the Link4Growth community news across the UK.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13915260323923266111noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-8539881336149044472017-06-23T03:23:00.000-07:002017-06-23T03:23:00.922-07:00What 3 things could we do right now to improve our communities?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZvcRD9PQ6bCKLHRn8QXYzYJNuj7jbTOdXw_xMW1PQnAQCrOnvw0nosEiW1t2W2crV0nwIl9F-I9MkQQ3kn5EFJo70diAtOQaz2NvsVr_U-uxJbzW9k07bfhn0cABXxv5g_YWnDnBK-kn/s1600/mountain-peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZvcRD9PQ6bCKLHRn8QXYzYJNuj7jbTOdXw_xMW1PQnAQCrOnvw0nosEiW1t2W2crV0nwIl9F-I9MkQQ3kn5EFJo70diAtOQaz2NvsVr_U-uxJbzW9k07bfhn0cABXxv5g_YWnDnBK-kn/s320/mountain-peak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">There is a lot of going on in our society today.</span></b> <b>Just in the past month we have witnessed major atrocities at the hands of extremism, terrorism and polarisation.</b><br />
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We have also seen first hand the wide gulf between the wealthy and the poor and much deeper divisions of people through politics.<br />
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In the face of what seems an unscaleable mountain to climb, how can we as ordinary people participate in resolving such huge challenges?<br />
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Maybe... just maybe it is the simplest of ideas that could help us? What if we were all able to just do our bit, however small, but collectively... could we achieve something special?... a phoenix from the ashes. But what?<br />
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Here are three things that we could all join in with. They don't require any special skills, they are not intimidating and every single person can participate. The 3rd is the most challenging... but having achieved the first two it is very necessary to ensure we progress and implement the third also.<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG_8j9aPqcW5EfQbCXjLDNuNSoGKcKrMwKzi2xYWoxtacUDB1LpNd_n68xFbokulprO-WiIDe4Lc6Mg5-GKfyygaWD2FXK30lA6W6PBdId32iV0MBs5ClSDhi5HjqHPKWzFlhR4BnYmE8/s1600/20161104_111243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG_8j9aPqcW5EfQbCXjLDNuNSoGKcKrMwKzi2xYWoxtacUDB1LpNd_n68xFbokulprO-WiIDe4Lc6Mg5-GKfyygaWD2FXK30lA6W6PBdId32iV0MBs5ClSDhi5HjqHPKWzFlhR4BnYmE8/s320/20161104_111243.jpg" width="320" /></a>1. Conversation</h4>
<br />
We all do it. We all have conversations but often it is within our existing connections and those that think in a similar way to us. We rarely get into conversations with people who have differing views, especially if we're not comfortable with confrontation. Most of us don't want a scene, and we certainly don't want to be trolled on in public.<br />
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Everything however starts with a conversation. If we are to understand other people we are going to have to talk to them. Why do people think differently to us? ... is it just so they can argue with us, annoy us, appear more clever? ... or is it perhaps because they have had different experiences and a different life? We can't learn about different perspectives if we never engage and have conversations with others... but... this does not appear to be as easy at it seems.<br />
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If you're brave you can invite conversation and differing views on social media. But on Social Media people tend to make statements. They will offer their opinion as if it were the truth. Arguments often ensue and gaps between people are widened not narrowed. Facebook also provides into your feed people with whom you have most contact... so this tends to bring to your notice posts by those you are likely to share the same viewpoints with further exacerbating the problem and polarising us... Facebook groups can sometimes alleviate this... but moderators often become highly influential in what goes!<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy1pATMsJ3xLVFp_LXeb3RjGy6Qnv8bdf7pvEYfQCv9LKazsxiNtp-fr8BakydglwueOXW8bSOwZgZpDU4FGGAW1KzXNLjEO90q8-KZi4iv91gSQ3TkgKPjcJTkLSWZlPt-9Sg80J9VAx/s1600/20161108_114546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy1pATMsJ3xLVFp_LXeb3RjGy6Qnv8bdf7pvEYfQCv9LKazsxiNtp-fr8BakydglwueOXW8bSOwZgZpDU4FGGAW1KzXNLjEO90q8-KZi4iv91gSQ3TkgKPjcJTkLSWZlPt-9Sg80J9VAx/s320/20161108_114546.jpg" width="320" /></a>2. Spaces to have conversations</h4>
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What if we created spaces. Community spaces, where anyone in the community could come together to have conversations. No agenda. No programming. Local people in your neighbourhood or community just coming along to meet other people who also live nearby. Open to all, totally inclusive.<br />
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But... and it's a big BUT... these spaces must be provided with the following caveat... people attending are "<b>Free from the pressure to meet the needs or expectations of others</b>". What does that mean?<br />
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This means that everyone that attends can be their true authentic self. They don't have to perform. They don't have to do anything they don't want to do. They are not under any obligation to do anything they are asked to do. They have the choice to have conversations or not, with whom they talk too, or to sit quietly or not...<br />
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Conversations can be about anything. People bring their own need to the event... it might be to make new friends, avoid loneliness, it might be to have conversation with adults having looked after children all day, it might be to seek advice or guidance about something... or maybe ask for connections to people who can help with a problem, business or otherwise.The conversation might be about different cultures, nationalities, customs... absolutely anything.<br />
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Through conversation we get to know people... how they think... who they are... their life experiences... their challenges... and how we can all begin to support and help one another... Life is pretty complex, we all need the support of friends and community around us... we don't have to do it alone. The chances are there are people close by also going through the same issues as you... shared stories, shared challenges... knowing there are others you can talk too... it makes a world of difference... wouldn't that be great to be a part of?<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFvoQ0O7Hj6FR0kTcEWUq31hWaVTYa4csx2DacyN1LYXnWr_SNfYJF5FxFB7hSxu6bVDErieP90UEf4s0-09XbtrJA5-7MQaWFKZDYFuNyS2d-VuJl_ovQbQLq8uoeJdeh40QIVqt4x2z/s1600/21stCenturyLifeSkills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="527" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFvoQ0O7Hj6FR0kTcEWUq31hWaVTYa4csx2DacyN1LYXnWr_SNfYJF5FxFB7hSxu6bVDErieP90UEf4s0-09XbtrJA5-7MQaWFKZDYFuNyS2d-VuJl_ovQbQLq8uoeJdeh40QIVqt4x2z/s320/21stCenturyLifeSkills.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />3. The only right way is that there is no right way</h4>
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Having created spaces which are inclusive, open to all, and where people can engage in conversation there is one thing left to do. Ensure that it remains that way.<br />
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Often when community groups meet there are folk who are more confident on social situations, perhaps used to taking charge, have a greater need in themselves to lead and create a tribe or following. Sometimes these folk also develop a tendency to want to be right. Be the ones seen to have 'the solution' that will be benefit everyone. All that needs to happen for them is they need to be recognised as such and 'followed'.<br />
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Step 3 exists to ensure that this doesn't happen. To create followers and non followers invites division. This is what we have in our society at the moment. Division everywhere, with 'charismatic leaders' trying to persuade us that they are right and we are to follow their truth.<br />
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There is no right way, only that which works for you. The right way is one that each individual chooses to follow, accepting the risks that go with taking responsibility for those choices. That might sometimes be to follow what someone else is advising, at other times take a lead with an idea, or at other times to just get on with creating something new, 'out of the box' and unique. <br />
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<h4>
Final Words</h4>
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These three steps are like algae or plankton of the natural world. The basic building blocks of the food chain from which anything and everything can grow. If we just created the framework to enable these 3 steps to take hold we could begin the transition to a more conscious and aware human race and improve how we harmoniously live together in our communities.<br />
<br />Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-21447482473047227722017-05-12T08:10:00.001-07:002017-05-12T08:37:11.057-07:00Networking perspectives - Business Development Network<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kH3R8uOiEK70JSbWGXuUKaA3GRqNaCSieyfStHObuy6MhvTpIe-JVujMXjFctIAFEPbDUhH-RXbZDPxHnUpkxABqrJlZ6GycKFNufP_hH3gDaoPI2PB2ZPeyvIlWsgDVW-pBW3ADmOix/s1600/20170428_124155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kH3R8uOiEK70JSbWGXuUKaA3GRqNaCSieyfStHObuy6MhvTpIe-JVujMXjFctIAFEPbDUhH-RXbZDPxHnUpkxABqrJlZ6GycKFNufP_hH3gDaoPI2PB2ZPeyvIlWsgDVW-pBW3ADmOix/s320/20170428_124155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>With nearly 7 million small and micro businesses in the UK today there is no doubt this represents a hugely important part of our business economy.</b><br />
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Moreover those running these small / micro businesses are much more connected into our communities and spend much more time in the community often working from home or small serviced offices.<br />
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There is also a much larger percentage of women involved in these micro businesses too. With the advent of the Internet and the ability to create a business that fits around their lives instead of the other way around, we are seeing the 'business day' slowly but irreversibly being redefined.<br />
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What is fascinating though is that with the huge growth in people choosing to 'take the plunge' and start their own business there has not been the comparable growth in support services.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7qsUw7QZ2TkTwwssotwCPKi7PhLp6G3sXH1F84jVAY3x2mUIFi_mRxPJNDe83FgS9HxUmR9ssYGqRzWZ6fmCnLivbfyBbVlS_3L8HvWpfweicfJo5bErrVaRJa8AZKT0oKmmBHZa1Sfe/s1600/BusinessLink.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7qsUw7QZ2TkTwwssotwCPKi7PhLp6G3sXH1F84jVAY3x2mUIFi_mRxPJNDe83FgS9HxUmR9ssYGqRzWZ6fmCnLivbfyBbVlS_3L8HvWpfweicfJo5bErrVaRJa8AZKT0oKmmBHZa1Sfe/s1600/BusinessLink.png" /></a></div>
Business Link disappeared almost 7 years ago or so now... that was one place that small businesses could go for at least some support. I have heard many times people mooting its resurrection although a forlorn hope, and perhaps our fond memories deceiving us a little about its real effectiveness.<br />
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<b>Nevertheless... Where do people go these days to connect and to obtain some impartial advice, guidance and signposting?</b><br />
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It's a difficult one to answer. We have seen the rise since the early 2000's of alternative business networking options to provide choice other than BNI which began in 1985. The majority are paid for membership networking but there are many that are independent and free ones too which does indicate a real need.<br />
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The main challenge still remains however which is that unbiased, impartial advice, guidance, and signposting is still wanting. Because business networking by its very nature is about promoting business, everyone is looking for an opportunity to find those elusive customers in an environment of 'low hanging fruit'. Advice and guidance is available... after a very 'light' assessment (normally short discussions)... but always at a price.<br />
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Free networking events are a good development which has meant more people can get out and network but the downside is that people tend to be less committed (it's free so no financial implications for not attending) and consequently it's difficult to build strong relationships, or establish the real capabilities of people.<br />
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There is a huge trend these days with the Baby Boomer generation or even those 40+ to escape the 'hamster wheel' of the corporate world. This has probably been exacerbated by the advent of increased connectivity where people are contactable 24/7 which adds further pressure and demands on us all. There are certainly 10's of thousands (if not hundreds) who just want to return to doing what they love, something with some meaning other than just earning money... And bringing back some choices about the direction of their lives... and so...<br />
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<b>These people starting on their new adventure have certain characteristics in common :-</b><br />
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<ol>
<li>They have money to invest in their new life (but not a bottomless pit)</li>
<li>The need to meet new people, this is a whole new world. Regardless of whether a refugee from corporate (most people we know are in the business we just left) or beginning a whole new exciting venture having been released from full time family commitments</li>
<li>Many of these local businesses (and all community groups) provide services to local 'people'. Not local people who are in business, but anyone in the community that could benefit from what we offer. Becoming integrated as part of the local community is vital nowadays.</li>
<li>Need to obtain support, signposting and guidance. This is very often the first time they've ever done anything like this. We all need help there is a lot to getting a business off the ground these days, even though it has never been easier to start a business</li>
<li>Improve technology skills. There is a real need to both know what technology is available and to be effective with it too! ... There are just not enough hours in a day (one person) or surplus money (to pay others to do everything) so new skills will be needed.</li>
<li>Flexibility and openness to new ideas and possibilities... we only know what we know... how can we innovate when we have no idea what is possible</li>
</ol>
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<h4>
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So this presents a real quandary for a large group of people</h4>
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We need to meet people, pick up a lot of new skills, learn from other people's experience, get support and signposting,<b> run our business</b> and... find trusted fair suppliers who will work with us.<br />
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At the same time... we've got to learn about running a business (where we have to learn what needs doing and take responsibility for it all as well), discover and adopt the right tools for our business... <b>AND... bearing all that in mind...</b> we have time constraints in that we do have to get this to work in a short to medium timescale and... we have to survive with the money we have put aside until it works so we can't keep throwing it at other people...<br />
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<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>There is no doubt that there are already places to meet other business owners. </b>Business networking continues to evolve and grow. Although 'cost' is often used as the primary show stopper with traditional networking, this is actually a minor issue.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">A criteria offered up for a great networking event is often, one with a large attendance and where there is a great buzz in the room. The more people attending traditionally means more revenue and therefore more sustainable; the buzz provides a 'feel good factor' fix and motivation to ensure that attendance becomes regular. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In reality this helps the networking group but isn't enough on its own to really help the small / micro business owner move forward. Because most events have a predefined format (script) there is little time at meetings to have really good deep conversations and get to know people. This then requires significant additional 1-1 time (a lot of it it too!) to develop those important relationships.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span>
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<h4>
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We need something that works for the business owner</h4>
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<br /></div>
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With huge numbers already travelling this path (7 million) pretty much unsupported, and the likelihood many more will be joining them soon (jobs in all sectors are under threat from automation) there is a real need to innovate something new in this arena that works for the Business owner.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What we could do with is almost a self help group of enormous proportions where :-</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Everyone brings their skills and strengths to the table</li>
<li>We come together with a 'go to give' supportive attitude</li>
<li>Openmindness to new ideas prevails and creating innovative ways to get things done that don't require us always reaching for our wallets</li>
<li>People can meet in a non sales, non pressured environment, where we can be ourselves</li>
<li>No expectations placed on anyone to perform, just be part of the solution</li>
<li>Wide variety of opportunities to meet at different times and places throughout the month</li>
<li>Meetings are a place to do productive, useful business development and get help</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Not for profit, so focus is on people and relationships not money</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uY4tBBJgR1rS8x4O12TJTdqo3mH6D0mr5ofd0rYGsbImjt8qM-J7N-vqEfItF46Jf2w_o244Es60IqU58rGxGn3epOve1JQ_0ZVe3NzCGRwPHElYuafNcVHnBK9omPB-tVbEAAU4EH0u/s1600/lincolnshire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uY4tBBJgR1rS8x4O12TJTdqo3mH6D0mr5ofd0rYGsbImjt8qM-J7N-vqEfItF46Jf2w_o244Es60IqU58rGxGn3epOve1JQ_0ZVe3NzCGRwPHElYuafNcVHnBK9omPB-tVbEAAU4EH0u/s320/lincolnshire2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h4>
<br />A Business Development Network 'evolved networking'</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br />
As part of the Link4Growth organisation a whole sector is devoted to bringing together the different elements to provide a holistic solution for business. Link4Business is.... your <b>Business Development Network</b><br />
<b><br />
Grow your personal community with like minded people.</b> There are plenty of local opportunities to...<br />
<ol>
<li>Meetup, build relationships, connect with your local community (<b>Link4Community</b>)</li>
<li>Get help, support, advice, guidance, signposting (<b>Link4Business</b>) ...</li>
<li>Develop collaboration skills and ideas (<b>Unions</b>)... </li>
<li>Mentoring and peer support (<b>OMG - Mentoring</b>) </li>
<li>Grow yourself through learning new skills (<b>Link4Skills</b>), and how to effectively apply technology and online tools to your business. </li>
<li>Take up the chance to develop your leadership skills and grow influence locally (<b>Link4Growth Team</b>)... </li>
<li>Finally... make some incredible new friends...</li>
</ol>
<br />
<h4>
What's not to like? </h4>
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<b>It's a whole new support eco-system that has been created for the 21st century.</b> Focused on enabling every one to follow their passion and succeed... innovate, share what you love and become an important participant in your local community... everyone wins... the best bit? ... We the people own it... it can't be taken from us... put on ice... sold to the highest bidder... <span style="font-size: large;"><b>this is our chance!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>enquiries@uk.link4growth.org @link4growth </b></span></div>
</div>
Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-24160205654280022282017-05-02T03:12:00.002-07:002017-05-02T03:13:46.804-07:00The Link4Growth Association You may be forgiven for not noticing but yesterday was not only a bank holiday but it was the day that Link4Growth officially became an Association.<br />
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<b>Key Reasons for the Transition</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Matches the objectives of the organisation</b>. If we rebuild community collectively it should belong to us</li>
<li><b>Sustainability</b>. As an association we now take responsibility it is not reliant on any one individual or small group</li>
<li><b>Self funding</b>. No external controls or obligations, and low dependency on money</li>
<li><b>Infrastructure now in place</b>. The tools to deliver now ready</li>
<li><b>Experience of 5 years</b>. Now time to share and expand what’s possible </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
For what is seemingly such a small thing; a change in an organisations structure from a limited company to an Association why has it taken so long? It appears on the face of it something of little import so why 18 months? … and why was it necessary in the first place?<br />
<br />
<b>So let’s start with the purpose and the intent behind Link4Growth</b>. The organisation has a mission to assist in re-establishing community as the very core of our society. People and relationships are crucial to our wellbeing and the slow disintegration of our communities over the decades is one of the contributing factors to some of the challenges we face today.<br />
<br />
<b>Link4Growth is now not a new idea</b>. It has been an evolving one though. We’ve done the apprenticeship working on this since 2012. Over that time we have created a set of 5 tools that enable those who are passionate about community development to be able to make a real difference, faster and more effectively. Link4Growth doesn’t claim to have all the answers and it’s certainly not the only way, but it is a way, and has now come of age and proven itself to work.<br />
<br />
<b>Who ought to own an organisation like this?</b> As a rule of thumb whoever does the work should reap the greatest rewards. This is a co-creation, collaboration project of immense proportions. All of us are alive, breathing and in our communities, and able to make a contribution. Therefore it makes perfect sense that we, collectively, own it.<br />
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<h4>
Hugely important within Link4Growth are the underpinning structural criteria. </h4>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The most salient of these are the following</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<h3>
Lean cost base</h3>
<br />
Link4Growth has been built on a very ‘lean’ model. Minimising costs means that the whole thing is affordable, it is open to all and therefore available to each of us to participate and play our part.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Self Funded</h3>
<br />
Crucially Link4Growth isn’t funded by the Government nor is it funded by big business. Governments have a track record of closing things down even if good work is being done and often increases costs and bureaucracy exponentially. <br />
<br />
Big businesses are always looking for a profit motive and similarly have more allegiance to shareholders (and money) than the community.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Sustainable</h3>
<br />
The move to an Association transfers ownership to the Subscriber members of Link4Growth. With a cost base that is serviceable, no external controls to threaten its continuity and ownership by ‘us the people’ we are truly rebuilding community for ourselves.</div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Devolved</h3>
<br />
There is no one size fits all. What works in one part of the country will be different from elsewhere. Link4Growth provides a framework that empowers us to take responsibility and begin the process of rebuilding our communities where we are but also not in isolation. Sharing great ideas and co-creating a flexible and adaptable future is at the heart of it.</div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Transparent</h3>
<br />
Link4Growth being an association is not for profit by default and reporting totally transparent. The organisation is here to serve and to provide us with tools to deliver in our communities. Surplus income and donations will be made available in the future to enhance and support community related projects.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>In the unpredictable and uncertain world of the 21st century</b> resilience and resourcefulness are becoming increasingly important as the structures and institutions of the 20th century begin to fade away. Governments are struggling, banks have failed once, no guarantees that won’t happen again or what will survive the coming years. Health, Education, Business and commerce all facing increasing pressure...<br />
<br />
Going forward as an Association Link4Growth has resilience in that we the people own it, and it is outside these controlling institutions, but not only that… it is not over reliant on Money (it does need some to operate), it is focused on people and time. People, we have plenty of, and available time (out of work) is likely to increase for us all. </div>
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<h4>
The most important part</h4>
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We have the opportunity to take responsibility and get on with the task in hand. We don’t need to wait for permission to improve our communities. We don’t need to wait for money or someone to tell us what we can do. <br />
<br />
We just need to innovate and create. To seek alternative ways to get things done in our local communities based on the local people, resources and skills that we have. We have tools to come together… to talk… discuss… have conversations and then… to take action. <br />
<br />
97% of what goes on in our communities is good news… so now we have a way to embrace it… share it… replicate it… and help others.<br />
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<h4>
Final words…</h4>
<br />
When we do this… When we take responsibility… When we rebuild our communities, our towns, cities, villages and our country… We will have done it… we will have returned power back to ourselves and created the society we want to live in.<br />
<br />
That’s worth working for… welcome to Link4Growth the Association<br />
<br />
Contact Details : <a href="mailto:enquiries@uk.link4growth.org">enquiries@uk.link4growth.org</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The 7 Principles of Link4Growth upon which the organisation operates</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-17180291787138880752016-12-09T08:13:00.000-08:002016-12-09T08:13:12.534-08:00How Link4Growth is changing to embrace being an Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those that are familiar with Link4Growth it has been known for a while that the organisation is changing to be an Association in January 2017. This means in simple terms that the ownership of the organisation passes to the members. The constitution about how it is to operate on a day to day basis and decision making is yet to be finalised but it has been a fascinating year listening to comments, suggestions and ideas on the subject.<br />
<br />
When it was first mooted back in 2015 that Link4Growth would become an association there wasn't a huge amount of thought put into it to be absolutely honest. It just seemed that this would be the right type of structure which most closely mirrored what the organisation was attempting to achieve. Owned by the people, built by the people and under the guardianship of the people.<br />
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18 months on there is no doubt the steady course that was set to become an association is the right one. But... there is always a but... the ramifications of that decision are much more far reaching than first envisaged. It's not just a change of ownership, that is a fairly simple idea to grasp... it changes things at a very deep level.<br />
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We are now collectively responsible for the idea of Link4Growth. What this means is that it is no longer the responsibility of a leader (or even a few leaders) to make decisions and then roll these out. That just replaces what we have with something so similar as to be indistinguishable. We all have to play our part. How do you create an environment where everyone can play a part?<br />
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Before we get onto the question above, setting an Intent to become an association like we did I believe set the wheels in motions for events to take place. During 2016 certain things have happened to act as a catalyst in our transition. I believe the universe was effectively saying 'come on then, time to get this moving'. Secondly certain connections have been made that were necessary to change thinking and make the transition to an association possible and... most importantly... sustainable for the long term. It has been a very big year 2016 in many ways.<br />
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<a href="http://communitysport.club/product/our-guarantee" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqr1zY-xTwvwDWZ0stxW0AVuvLbWa4Kn-maMkR_fft6SXqh2sRPf5aKtFVDCDTD93goHSLzuHqsjFrj2xneI32DAKwaw1_mDfE0dEU3ecTETf5mzwdsXwfqjfJPxZAvrD_l49jCAYc96e/s320/CommunityCoach.png" width="320" /></a></div>
In order for us to create a new future, we need to provide a space that allows us the freedom to be who we are, have a voice, be respected, not be judged... in fact the '7 Principles of Link4Growth'. To create that space there are a few requirements :-<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>A Community Coach trained and qualified to create and hold the space for those attending</li>
<li>A guarantee that those attending will be free from the pressures of meeting the needs and expectations of others (the coach delivers this guarantee)</li>
<li>An environment where people will be encouraged to find their own way, i.e. what works for them</li>
<li>That the only right way is that... there is no right way.</li>
</ol>
<h4>
</h4>
<div>
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<h4>
Upon this foundation we have the potential to really begin to change things</h4>
<br />
One of the biggest challenges we face today is apathy. Apathy because "I am just one person, what possible difference could I make?" Apathy because we have grown to accept the conditioning of "it's the way it is you can't change it" to be the truth, and that what we're being offered is the only option. We have been divided and segmented by Politics, Religion, Race, Creed, Money and even Brexit and Trump so that the only consensus we have is to choose from a set of poor options that serve the minority who invented them. It's not good enough, it doesn't work and it's time for change... but to what?<br />
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<h4>
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We have been napping in 'apathy' for too long</h4>
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I spend about 7 hours at least a week thinking. I like to think. I like to re-evaluate, assess, think of new ways to do things using the resources available to deliver more for less. I am incredibly fortunate to have this amount of space, many do not.<br />
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What I like about thinking is the world of possibilities. Nothing is impossible. We can try anything in our thoughts, we can dare to dream, think out of the box, imagine if things were different what would other things look like then. It's exciting, it's fun... it's even better when there is more than one of you, thinking together!</div>
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All the division, the fear, the nanny state, the education system... all contributes to 'fitting in' being 'part of acceptable society' ... being normal. We're in a mess because the only ideas are coming from 'inside the box thinking' via those with vested interests (in it staying the same), and based on existing systems and frameworks.</div>
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<div>
To elevate ourselves to a new future we need to innovate and create. As Einstein said. <i><b>"we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them".</b></i></div>
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<div>
What if we brought back thinking, made it fashionable and encouraged people to do it? We are definitely in need of a lot more independent thinking, innovation and creativity so that we can find alternative ways to solve the challenges we face and... we need the freedom to do it and a framework that makes it easy.</div>
<h4>
<br />Link4Growth providing a place to innovate where you live</h4>
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<div>
Link4Growth has always been about innovation and about rebuilding our communities, bringing people together, collaborating to create what works. Together along with thousands of others out there investing themselves in great community work we have accumulated over the years great experience and infrastructure to support the community. There are <a href="http://link4growth-blog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/how-link4growth-serves-us-and-our.html" target="_blank">5 services already defined to support society click here to read about these</a>.<br />
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To introduce reslience into the rebuilding of community we are introducing the concept of community coaches. <a href="http://communitysport.club/product/our-guarantee" target="_blank">The 'Community Coaches' will deliver a guarantee</a> on ensuring we have a secure, safe space to innovate, create and find alternatives free from any peer pressure to meet the needs and expectations of others. The community coach through example will by default underpin each event with the 7 Principles of Link4Growth.</div>
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During 2017 the Link4Growth transition to an Association is completely aligned with each of us taking responsibility for '<b><i>Finding our own way</i></b>', what do we want to do? ... and wouldn't it be amazing if we were surrounded by supportive people with no peer pressure. Where we were encouraged to learn the three skills to '<b><i>find our own way</i></b>' :-</div>
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<ol>
<li>Make our own conscious choices</li>
<li>Innovate and find alternative solutions to our situation</li>
<li>Consciously accept the risks associated with our choices</li>
</ol>
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And if we came together as groups to tackle larger social issues that are everywhere around us, what then? What could we then achieve? Maybe just maybe we could create that new world that works for the majority.</div>
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<h4>
2017 is our year</h4>
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Imagine a country exploding with new groups of people coming together to innovate, people finding their own way and together creating alternative solutions to local challenges. Imagine how when this catches on how our belief systems will transform from "it can't be done, to watch us do this"... imagine ... when we all start to use our brains... and imagine... just what could we create?</div>
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<br />Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-20222025871958585982016-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:002016-11-09T09:27:09.233-08:00Peer-2-Peer mentoring now available to all...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are 6.7 million of us now running small micro businesses with 5 or less employees and the vast majorty of these are solopreneurs; people working by themselves. How so many of us got to running our own businesses is not the subject of this blog, but the fact is there are a very large number of people that are now responsible for their own endeavours, and, more than likely doing it for the first time.<br />
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There is a huge amount of inexperience out there and running a business today is probably more complex than it has ever been. Trying to work it all out on your own is almost impossible and can be daunting, isolating, lonely and not to mention very time consuming. How do you know if you are doing things right? Who can you trust to be giving you objective and impartial advice? Who can you share ideas knowing that it stays in the room?<br />
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You go to any networking meeting and ask people how they are doing? You'll probably get the answer, "great thanks... could be better, but really busy which is good. How about you?" ... you will probably find yourself answering in the same way. It's not honest or authentic is it? Nor is it accurate most likely. It would be considered bad form though to disclose that there are some real issues... and anyway no one wants to hear your problems do they? So everyone 'pretends they are doing well' and we go away even more miserable because everyone is doing great and yet we know that things are no where near as good as we made them look in the backroom of our own business.<br />
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Actually being able to be vulnerable with people, trust them to help us and look out for us when our soft underbelly is exposed is not easy. In fact it takes a great deal of courage, and it needs a different environment to be able to share at this level. It is however, at this very point of vulnerability that we let the magic in. It is at this point when we openly ask for help and support that people respond to our call.<br />
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<h4>
Why is this such a powerful tool?</h4>
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Imagine 5 other business owners with all their knowledge, experience, expertise and connections... all their life lived so far and their wisdom gained being applied specifically to your challenge. Couple that with a desire to see you succeed and a real willingness to help you move on past your issue. It is powerful stuff, and it is no wonder that 'Peer-2-Peer mentoring groups' or 'Mastermind groups' have been the source of great leaps forward for many people (and businesses) and continue to do so.<br />
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<br />It's not a new idea</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiO3WYUekkggHU569OWCTFk9aH3LOqsyt9C_RFjxKuv6D2S2z__MZrWGELISo1NOsmoa2p0heUuYiapU3XE_JFCzARnEfNINVj-Xe3Xq-0oHugXe2ThLOwhOihjarGad13sv2yCcvMG4Aq/s1600/20161023_134323_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiO3WYUekkggHU569OWCTFk9aH3LOqsyt9C_RFjxKuv6D2S2z__MZrWGELISo1NOsmoa2p0heUuYiapU3XE_JFCzARnEfNINVj-Xe3Xq-0oHugXe2ThLOwhOihjarGad13sv2yCcvMG4Aq/s320/20161023_134323_001.jpg" width="320" /></a>The idea of Peer-2-Peer mentoring is not new. Bringing like minded people together with all their collective knowledge has been going on for decades. The word Synergy is often used in this context which means "The combined power of a group of people when brought together is greater than the sum of the individuals". With this the inference that with 6 people you effectively get a 7th as the melding of combined minds achieves much more.<br />
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<h4>
We're here to help each other UP!</h4>
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There is enough business for everyone out there! Link4Business is committed to helping all businesses in our local communities succeed and these Online / Offline Mentoring Groups are another item in the toolbox :-<br />
<ul>
<li>Learn from other people running businesses (and their mistakes)</li>
<li>Share experience and knowledge</li>
<li>Fast track through obstacles and challenges</li>
<li>Accountability</li>
<li>Ongoing support through a closed G+ community</li>
<li>Share trusted connections and networks</li>
<li>Build deep relationships and trust</li>
<li>All the networking and other benefits of being part of the Link4Growth / Link4Business network</li>
</ul>
<h4>
No excuses...</h4>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.l4g-omg.uk/" target="_blank">Information accessible and available on the website</a></li>
<li>Low cost... Free to Link4Business Members or just <a href="http://www.link4business.co.uk/join-l4b/" target="_blank">join up here for £12 per month</a></li>
<li>Flexible ways to be part of a mentoring group with people you know and respect</li>
<li>Deeper levels of connection leading to faster growth, personal and business development</li>
</ol>
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-56114416893256512892016-10-25T16:07:00.001-07:002016-10-25T16:07:25.619-07:00How Link4Growth serves us and our communities ~ the 5 tools explainedLink4Growth provides a platform that contains 5 tools that are a service to the local communities, and the majority are free of charge. Link4Growth encourages us to (1) talk to each other through community events because everything starts with a conversation and knowing those around you, (2) grow a strong local business club for each town with businesses all collaborating together, and, collectively promoting the ethos of buying local, (3) Keep learning and sharing our collective knowledge, the world is ever changing and we need to adapt constantly, (4) Share what we are doing through local CommunityTV and a national TV Portal, all free to use and where anyone can join in, (5) The Community Communication Hub websites where we can share the 97% of good news that is happening in our community with everyone else in our communities, easily, and at zero cost.<br />
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Every organisation in our community struggles with similar challenges and Link4Growth is here to help alleviate those challenges and empower us all to play a part and contribute back to society.<br />
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By sharing the good work that we are doing in the community we are enabling others and inspiring them to replicate and duplicate elsewhere... Link4Growth is purely a conduit, an infrastructure, and a facilitation platform that exists not for its own glory, but for all of us, and to help us pull everyone up.<br />
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... the diagram below helps to summarise the information above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiB2irP0fyDDgUGOZCpKaS7IYvDUtYi30ta4rbosuLi7KOQTQRyFCizuv1_YHv0atD8sCifgfHm_BEnppXTzDVNc6N2E6gnX9edg3yTCzlkW-5APUjxdbbAgF9hKRSAfGNTMfPIlJxDzR/s1600/Link4Growth2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiB2irP0fyDDgUGOZCpKaS7IYvDUtYi30ta4rbosuLi7KOQTQRyFCizuv1_YHv0atD8sCifgfHm_BEnppXTzDVNc6N2E6gnX9edg3yTCzlkW-5APUjxdbbAgF9hKRSAfGNTMfPIlJxDzR/s1600/Link4Growth2017.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-19704163531331558192016-08-28T08:23:00.001-07:002016-08-28T08:24:04.564-07:00KIDS Create<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKuxOwyj9dTMDKc-oLkKdgfevbFYup9NgTfgs_cXUs8Xd_5HY6356bqGGMZZp2PkFx90kZ1_9mm9cqlFRR8oP-Y2zQ7GOFP9h15DKLeazFpkmxn-KYUTgV9nsm6IAYjc_z9I0iAbhY7ry/s1600/DavidMills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKuxOwyj9dTMDKc-oLkKdgfevbFYup9NgTfgs_cXUs8Xd_5HY6356bqGGMZZp2PkFx90kZ1_9mm9cqlFRR8oP-Y2zQ7GOFP9h15DKLeazFpkmxn-KYUTgV9nsm6IAYjc_z9I0iAbhY7ry/s200/DavidMills.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Mills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hrhoFURFu74nfeosKB4PCyDsSt7cI8wLzaeZ_Cms2ZZfS0kw2LIGijcsopDQzkkI8L5VCDGy_wT15AyWE2DTJ1IVtBSJHez9GBcKbfYIsh-Hg6e1tq9VxbUCmZ3opefC0oMznhSXGHgx/s1600/LindaAnderson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hrhoFURFu74nfeosKB4PCyDsSt7cI8wLzaeZ_Cms2ZZfS0kw2LIGijcsopDQzkkI8L5VCDGy_wT15AyWE2DTJ1IVtBSJHez9GBcKbfYIsh-Hg6e1tq9VxbUCmZ3opefC0oMznhSXGHgx/s200/LindaAnderson.JPG" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Anderson</td></tr>
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Sometimes you get to speak to people and you sense an energy and purpose that is incredibly intoxicating.<br />
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Often those people are blissfully unaware of it, believing it is something they might shake off one day but just seems to never go away. Often coming back a few years later to have another stab at taking hold. Maybe just maybe the circumstances were just not quite right earlier, both in terms of the environment, or maybe personal growth and development. Whatever the reason it doesn't matter, what does matter is that this unshakable purpose gets a chance to be 'aired', to surface in all its glory and be able to make the difference it was supposed too.</div>
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It wasn't so long ago that by chance (if you believe in such things) I discovered a post by David Mills about a concept he had created called Eduspired (<a href="https://twitter.com/eduspired" target="_blank">@eduspired on twitter</a>). I'd never met David before but what he had written resonated with me 100%. Basically the education system is not delivering for our children. We have met subsequently a few times and together given birth to the Education Show on L4Gtv's Education Channel. Rarely have I met someone so passionate about what he believes in... I am truly inspired each time we have an opportunity to speak and I know a whole generation of young folk will be grateful for some of the actions <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106179996536458301945" target="_blank">+David Mills</a> is taking right now.</div>
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But he is not alone... a short while ago David was introduced to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112000420841449760173" target="_blank">+linda anderson</a> of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115960592404974003379" target="_blank">+The Kitchen Croxley</a> fame in the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117676007217247400775" target="_blank">+Link4Growth SW Herts</a> District of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112736466503526681192" target="_blank">+Link4Growth</a>. This meeting was to organise and set the first ever date for David's initiative called KIDS CREATE. Basically this is about holding a space for a group of young people (aged 10-13 years) to listen to how they see things and come up with solutions to the very real human problems we have out there right now.</div>
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The Kitchen in Croxley is a community Coffee Shop... a public space providing a safe place for young people to meet from the local area. But... there are thousands of such community spaces around the country. What if each of these was to play host to a KIDS CREATE group... what if there was one each day. How amazing to include our young folk in such important community discussion... the table is layed...</div>
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Below the introduction to what will be taking place on the 8th September at the Kitchen... </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">KIDS CREATE</span><br />Connect - Collaborate - Create</b><br />
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<b>The Kitchen Croxley<br />Thursday 8 September 2016<br />4.30 – 6.30pm</b><br />
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<li>Are you aged 10-13?</li>
<li>Are you passionate about creating a better world?</li>
<li>Do you have ideas for improving your community?</li>
<li>Do you enjoy working with others?</li>
<li>Are you ready to show adults what you are capable of?</li>
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<i>If you answered YES to the above questions, then KIDS CREATE could be for you!</i><br />
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KIDS CREATE brings young people together for the purpose of collaborating on 'real life' innovation projects of their own choosing. It is a vehicle through which they can channel their innate passions and imagination into creating real value in the world. Whether the project is to launch an awareness campaign, create a positive news channel on YouTube, coordinate a litter picking exercise in the local park, organise a charity concert, film a documentary or provide blankets to the homeless, this is a place where young people's voices are honoured and heard, and in which they are trusted and empowered to take action on their ideas.<br />
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Facilitated by David Mills, an education visionary, confidence coach, youth mentor and former school teacher, this will be the first of many meetups at The Kitchen.<br />
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Supported by #Link4Growth, The Kitchen Croxley<br />
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-52750592329338442332016-08-02T22:09:00.000-07:002016-08-02T22:09:23.036-07:00Nikki Pepper goes on air to talk about Link4GrowthLink4Growth is not often in the news, the organisation prefers to just work in the background and get on with the job. In a world where we are led to believe standing on the podium and shouting from the rooftops about what is wrong is the answer, Link4Growth steadily, quietly, effectively is putting in place the infrastructure for change.<br />
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Sometimes an opportunity comes along to share some of what we do in a more public way, and an opportunity fell last week to Nikki Pepper to talk about Link4Growth on local radio in Peterborough. The show was the working lunch show with Craig Bunday.<br />
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The Working Lunch show (BundayBrunch) hosted by Craig Bunday is a 2 hour show where Craig invites local businesses and interesting people, often met through Networking, onto the show to share some of what they do with his listeners.<br />
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Craig (left) met with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115626185642698782766" target="_blank">+Nikki Pepper</a> at the Nene Park coffee event and following a conversation about Link4Growth and its purpose invited Nikki to join him on the show.<br />
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4 years ago, Nikki would probably agree that she would never have imagined doing anything like this, and so as requested it was all kept rather hush hush until after the event.<br />
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Link4Growth although very simple in concept 'we bring local people together to have conversations' the effects of this can be life changing for many. Link4Growth is a platform that empowers 4 types of growth. (1) Personal Growth, (2) enterprise growth (business, charity), (3) Community growth and (4) Country growth. This growth journey is one that we all engaged with, some are further along their own journey than others, and their is no right or wrong.<br />
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We would all agree that Nikki has achieved remarkable personal growth in the past 4 years being part of Link4Growth and very many congratulations to her for this major milestone, fantastic, well done. To listen to the show, click on the link below. Nikki is on air at about 26 minutes and 40 seconds into the recording.<br />
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<a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/BundayBrunch/peterborough-working-lunch-29th-july-2016/" target="_blank">Click here listen to Nikki Pepper talking to Craig Bunday about Link4Growth</a> (26 mins 40 sec)Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-33345425093394395302016-03-27T10:50:00.000-07:002016-04-24T20:16:17.545-07:00A historic day for Link4Growth 24th March 2016On the 24th March there were two huge events in the #Link4Growth calendar. The first was the launch of #Link4Business in #Watford (Herts) and the second was the launch of a new country with the first ever #Link4Coffee event north of the border in #Scotland.<br />
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The Link4Business in Watford kicked off in a brand new venue, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/freshfshop" target="_blank">Fresh Shop (a local cafe) downstairs</a> and with 25 booked in promised to be a successful (and very packed) event. With a few casualties on the day around 20 people attended and the team of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112442849083539315946" target="_blank">+Jean Flower</a> <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115052134860544340897" target="_blank">+Simon Cox</a> and 2nd speaker <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117101121353189043655" target="_blank">+Tania Clarke</a> carried if off beautifully. Thanks to all those that attended to make this a very special launch.<br />
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This is the 10th #Link4Business event now running, with #Whittlesey and #Alfreton launching earlier in the month. The popularity and success of Link4Business continues apace. Well done to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113379644688828373716" target="_blank">+Joan Richardson</a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102904919522213754964" target="_blank">+Len Harvey</a> for their respective events. Both also hugely successful. Well done <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115052134860544340897" target="_blank">+Simon Cox</a> the national lead for #L4B for all his hard work too!<br />
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On to #Scotland and it is amazing how things come about. Andrea McGuinness first heard about #Link4Growth via watching a Video Show with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117866537686667415158" target="_blank">+Gerri Riddiough</a> talking as a guest on an American based show. Andrea was instantly taken by the idea of Link4Growth and then followed a relentless pursuit to find out more... eventually this detective work was to lead to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115626185642698782766" target="_blank">+Nikki Pepper</a> and the rest as they say is history... until the 24th March.<br />
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Andrea had prepared the ground well and 28 people turned up to find out more about this idea of community building. There is an appetite for change in Scotland and Link4Growth is something that everyone can get involved in. Almost without exception the attendees not only marveled at both the simplicity of just turning up and having a conversation, but also, how much they learned about what was going on around them that they didn't know about.<br />
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There is very little going on in our communities to bring people together without any other agenda these days. Yes Fayres and other charity events exist but they have an agenda often to raise money... but nothing to just enable people to talk and get to know each other... meet, talk, listen, learn, connect, share and inspire... well here it is... it's called Link4Growth. Welcome to a world of conversation... it just came back... please do come along to something near you... and if there isn't anything... then start something... the time is now... let's take action! Together we really can change the world... one conversation at a time...<br />
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Thank you so much to the <a href="http://www.moorparkhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Moorparkhouse Hotel</a> who not only provided the venue but all the teas and coffees too!<br />
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<br />Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-13541308872166817522016-01-28T22:36:00.001-08:002016-01-29T04:44:55.798-08:00The 1st ever Link4Growth Conference 8th January 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 1st ever <b>Link4Growth</b> Conference took place on the 8th January 2016. The venue was the amazing Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire and brought the Link4Growth family together for the first time. A historic moment and one that many of us will remember as the day that connected people in the flesh who had previously only known each other virtually.<br />
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It is incredibly difficult to single out individual performances and comments fed back through January confirmed this as one of the most inspirational collaborative events people had attended. Link4Growth has indeed come a long way since its initial launch on January 9th 2012; nearly 4 years to the day.<br />
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Below some of the highlights... links to picture albums, the live video feeds of the 8 speakers on the day and also the 6 Laminates which will help us to visually explain the different aspects of Link4Growth going forward.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photo's from the day</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.952009654835369.1073741828.229663117070030&type=3" target="_blank">Picture Album No. 1</a> - Credit to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110358197257040294835" target="_blank">+Mark Mountford</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.954917947877873.1073741831.229663117070030&type=3" target="_blank">Picture Album No. 2</a> - Credit to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112442914050610241276" target="_blank">+Diane Richardson</a> <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110754508863482490377" target="_blank">+Catherine Baldwin</a> & <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111215134804835933818" target="_blank">+Jonathan s Darby</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Live Video feeds of the 8 Speakers on the day</span><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109499277555729719880" target="_blank">+Paul Violet</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh-RMF7ypCo" target="_blank">Opening the conference</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114399159112283941338" target="_blank">+Emma Jaynes</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUsJYngmxus" target="_blank">Community</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103836015646186797171" target="_blank">+Chris Ogle</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akNBcQXp4kI" target="_blank">CKi (Community Kickstarter initiative)</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117313561900325593008" target="_blank">+Su Ball</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xuQAsHR5Bk" target="_blank">Link4Business</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101568833145346529858" target="_blank">+Jeremy Silverstone</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6yUsIJlE20" target="_blank">OMG's (Online Mentoring Groups)</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108325294635167198943" target="_blank">+Carol Dodsley</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RlZUBSG81s" target="_blank">Link4Skills</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112442914050610241276" target="_blank">+Diane Richardson</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxaOuupzHDg">L4G.tv</a><br />
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Chris Ogle ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO6dQUbdfLw">Leadership Programme</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107536456106439379780" target="_blank">+Nadine Standish</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD8muVRXY5E">BITC (Collaboration)</a><br />
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Chris Ogle ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7hrpzPXZrQ">New Laminates</a><br />
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117101121353189043655" target="_blank">+Tania Clarke</a> ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swvZfAiH_L0">Taking Responsibility</a><br />
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Chris Ogle ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKyDTnUnWQQ">Recognition</a><br />
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Chris Ogle ~ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mm8YqMdmOM">Closing Address</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Link4Growth Laminates</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.958330840869917.1073741832.229663117070030&type=3&uploaded=6" target="_blank">All the Laminates can be found here...</a> </span></div>
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A fabulous day had by all... thank you to everyone that supported the event... it was a memorable day for us all.</div>
<br />Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-1604695392961607222015-11-08T15:03:00.000-08:002015-11-08T15:03:25.986-08:00The Community Kickstarter Initiative (CKi) from Link4Growth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We live in highly complex communities in our modern society. There are the familiar boroughs and councils, parish councils, the volunteer sector, community groups… business groups, in fact there are many communities and even, communities within communities.<br />
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One of the big irony’s of our modern era is that there is so much going on in our communities (and really good projects / initiatives too) but that very few people ever get to hear about them. We hear often about the 3% which constitutes the bad stuff going on, there is a whole system in place to get that information over to us. We have very little though in place to share the great and amazing good things happening in our communities... that's about to change!<br />
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This then is the purpose of the <b>Link4Growth CKi programmes</b>. To provide in each town (village or city as well) a <b>communications hub</b> that is open to everyone and on which all of us from that town can become ‘reporters’ or ‘journalists’ and share what is going on. It is free to use and enables us to categorise information into the 9 segments that make up our communities.<br />
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The 9 different areas are : Community and Charity, Business & CIC’s, Education, Health, Leisure & Entertainment, Faith groups, Local authorities, Communications (TV, Radio, Newspapers) and Sustainability.<br />
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By coming together and sharing what is happening in our communities in a common space open to all we can start to appreciate all the good things that are happening around us, plus, we can recognise those fantastic community centric people who are putting in a huge number of hours and applying themselves to projects that benefit those around them.<br />
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This really is our time. Our time to create the community that we want to live in. It is not the council’s responsibility, they have neither the resources (human or financial) to do all the things that need doing in our community. We have the people, it just needs to be much much easier to find out what is going on and be able to lend a hand.<br />
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The great news is that there is something for everyone. So diverse is our community that there really is an opportunity for every single one of us to get involved and be part of this. It doesn’t require money, it doesn’t require permission, all it does require is <b>taking action</b>.<br />
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If you would like to start a CKi project in your town, or you want to know if something is already happening then please do ‘take action’ … yes… you… it’s your time to take action… if not you? … then who?<br />
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By the end of 2018 there will be 8 million of us helping to rebuild communities right across the country… we are starting in earnest right now!! … it’s the beginning of something so huge and it is not linked to politics or money or business… it’s linked to people, doing what is right and working together for us… and for the kind of future we want…<br />
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Come and be part of it… email: <a href="mailto:cki@link4growth.biz">cki@link4growth.biz</a><br />
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please watch the video below...<br />
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-67277325081294731882015-07-20T22:43:00.005-07:002015-07-20T22:43:48.270-07:00The PostCapitalism era and how Link4Growth is playing its part<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those of us living today we are on the edge of probably the most exciting time in human history whilst at the same time poised on the brink of the most difficult period. This brings with it a whole level of uncertainty and for many a huge worry about what is going to happen. Others are blissfully unaware of how delicate the current situation has become, so delicate in fact that just one thing could trigger a meltdown in the world financial markets on a scale that we have never seen before.<br />
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There have been several posts in the Guardian which have prompted this blog. Talk of an age after capitalism is now beginning to be openly discussed as the cracks in the global economy become ever wider and deeper. The inequality brought about by pure greed at the expense of the majority and the wide implementation of damaging austerity measures are exacerbating the move towards change. It only takes a Grexit (Greek exit from the EU) to start an irreversible chain of events that would make the crash of 2007 seem like a walk in the park... and we're that close.</div>
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For us to really understand the inevitability of the changes that are upon us we must look at some of the trends which are gathering pace.</div>
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<li>Automation. If you have never seen the video 'Humans need not apply' please take time to watch it.. I have included it below. 45% of the jobs humans do today could be replaced by existing technology, and those jobs will never come back. In the drive to bring down costs and to thereby increase profits or gain competitive advantage producers will always look to automate production not create new jobs. Ironically capitalism in the end will be part of its own demise as costs of products will reduce, gradually tending to zero, whilst also removing the need for human involvement in the production process. The hamster wheel of the capitalistic era coming to an end and truly bringing about freedom for the majority.</li>
<li>Sustainability. Climate change and the willingness to live in greater levels of harmony with our planet are no longer an option. Harvesting renewable and sustainable energy will over time enable us all to enjoy free energy, either by producing it ourselves and then pooling it, or by tapping into others producing more than they need. The chairman of E.ON has already said that the era of central produced energy to distribute for profit is coming to an end. Energy prices will gradually tend to zero, the cost of living reducing significantly. Locally produced food is another huge opportunity. Produced where it is needed, using the land in more innovative ways and by encouraging people to grow at least something no matter how small the available space. New co-ops are emerging where people provide their gardens to grow vegetables in return for some of the produce. By talking and sharing our stories, greater levels of innovation and duplication take place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>The Internet. This has created the environment for the free sharing of information, resources, and the ability for people to connect with others across spatial distances to work on solving real Human issues. One such case is an initiative to produce via 3D printing, plastic prosthetic hands for children with only one hand. A global phenomena enabling children around the world to improve their quality of life for $40 dollars not the usual $'000's. A not for profit endeavour, created to help children, globally, just because we can. This is a great example of the collaborative commons, made possible by the Internet. The internet has the potential to change everything, from regime change to breaking apart the banking sector, the internet is the great leveller.</li>
<li>Banking and Money reform. The last vestige of a bygone era the banking sector and the greed within it, is hanging on by its fingernails as the global debt storm ever approaches.Couple this with more flexible and alternative ideas around money such as Bitcoin the pressures are mounting. The poor are getting poorer the rich richer, as if the bankers and financiers know the game is up and they just want to milk the system as hard as they can before the inevitable happens. The marches in Spain, the Greek tragedy and the whole of southern europe is a cauldron just waiting to erupt. This is inevitable, the day of reckoning is coming, what we have to do is prepare ourselves. Countries will still be there, people will still be there, but the way we interact and work with each other will determine how resilient we are and how we weather the storm.</li>
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<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/nov/07/radical-new-economic-system-will-emerge-from-collapse-of-capitalism" target="_blank">An article in the Guardian with excerpts from Jeremy Rifkin</a> political advisor and author explains much of what I have said above.</div>
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So how might a #PostCapitalism society look like?</h3>
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One of the points in the article by Rifkin is that the future capability to produce at much lower costs would not be mirrored by an increase in demand. Simultaneously with the transition to a new economic and global economy, will be a human transition. That transition is to an abundance, collaborative and supportive thinking rather than the capitalistic and scarcity model that our society is based on today.</div>
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In this <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/17/postcapitalism-end-of-capitalism-begun" target="_blank">long article also in the Guardian Paul Mason</a> quotes...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px;">"Millions of people are beginning to realise they have been sold a dream at odds with what reality can deliver. Their response is anger"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px;">"We need more than just a bunch of utopian dreams and small-scale horizontal projects. We need a project based on reason, evidence and testable designs, that cuts with the grain of history and is sustainable by the planet. And we need to get on with it."</span> </blockquote>
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How will this change be brought about?</h3>
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What are the practical things that can be done to transform a nation. At present the underlying conditioning is one of blame culture and focus on money. This doesn't mean money is bad, just the constant chase and desire for more than we need has been stimulated in us, we are not born greedy. Humans are the only species on the planet that takes more than it needs. There are people eating themselves to death in the west and those dying with no food in poorer countries. To evolve we need to believe in the concept of enough, that there is abundance and enough for us all. Acceptance that if we focus on making a contribution, valuing ourselves by who we are and seeking to serve, we will receive all that we need and achieve much greater levels of happiness. To chase money constantly serves those in control of the money who have conditioned us to believe in the capitalistic message, we have a choice. Whilst we continually give away our power by blaming others and focus on having more money we are enslaved in an unwinnable contest.<br />
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There are many who are already on the journey working on themselves transitioning to abundance and collaboration, many of these have already found Link4Growth, but there are many more who have not. Link4Growth is an inclusive organisation created to serve the people. To rebuild community from the grass roots up, focus on what is really important; people and relationships and to promote abundance and collaboration.<br />
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... and it all starts with a conversation. Through conversation ideas spread and new thinking develops, through conversation people get to develop new local relationships, find out what is happening, how they can participate, and most importantly, belong once more. This is where people develop a sense of value based on who they are, not what they own. In an atmosphere and environment of 'giving' we can begin to help each other... not for money, but because we feel good when we help others. Most of us would like to contribute and help because most of us are decent human beings. Just we've been conditioned to only look out for No.1 by a system that was never there to serve us.<br />
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Link4Growth hosts events in local coffee shops, local pubs and restaurants, supporting our local businesses. It is at these events that we meet, talk, listen, learn, connect, share and inspire. It is at these events that we can build the support infrastructure to transition to the post capitalistic society.<br />
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We do not have much time</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothl_thhLIuYxvG5_JLc5It9Z-UeNnr64nbkMdRgUgsamjKepbUmgWPioacZqVmJ4q_9LsFVJyGTJ3RnQNMtAl5w914GqxmiY2Z9gUkclXGlE84Mx5o8o0MYEgNOrhVGf9sPDevexwoaF/s1600/Link4Growth_Meetup_profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothl_thhLIuYxvG5_JLc5It9Z-UeNnr64nbkMdRgUgsamjKepbUmgWPioacZqVmJ4q_9LsFVJyGTJ3RnQNMtAl5w914GqxmiY2Z9gUkclXGlE84Mx5o8o0MYEgNOrhVGf9sPDevexwoaF/s1600/Link4Growth_Meetup_profile.jpg" /></a>Link4Growth is a national initiative. Bringing like minded people together who want to be part of creating the kind of world we want to live in. But the clock is ticking. We must build a support system of people who would give freely to those in need, there will be plenty of them requiring help. We are on the run up to an extremely difficult time, and when the finances crack, all we will have is each other and what we are prepared to do for our fellow man.<br />
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Together we can ride out the storm, together we can get through this but it will require a herculanean effort, the kind of effort that only can be achieved if we all work together towards a common goal in an organised way. Link4Growth has created the infrastructure that will enable us to build a team of 8 million people in the UK alone... it's an infrastructure that can be replicated in other countries too...<br />
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All we need now is belief. Belief that together we can decide our future. It is not in the lap of the gods, nor in the hands of others. It is in all of our hands, we must be the change we want to see.<br />
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Take action email : hello@link4growth.biz and be part of it.<br />
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-69696257654703171852015-06-22T15:40:00.000-07:002015-06-22T15:40:03.000-07:00How can small businesses be a catalyst for big changes?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jhU2wNCOVGpUUn87eOppbpCWzOVU_3d7FL_2kQSs52U-FlBSAPSycjOYk1nOhm_HJ6Zx5FUwehpTi_WWb0ejQFGiKWJ9ibI4LD1TESNKY7Az5YdRCyHI0v6Yp4k-M29Ir4yU68Ol8utS/s1600/20150502_121150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jhU2wNCOVGpUUn87eOppbpCWzOVU_3d7FL_2kQSs52U-FlBSAPSycjOYk1nOhm_HJ6Zx5FUwehpTi_WWb0ejQFGiKWJ9ibI4LD1TESNKY7Az5YdRCyHI0v6Yp4k-M29Ir4yU68Ol8utS/s320/20150502_121150.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many of us already know that the sole trader, micro and small business community is where we must look for the changes in our fortunes. This is on a personal level, local community level and a national level too.<br />
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There are often clamours for more support for the small business, changes in legislation and tax breaks for those taking the risk of setting up a business and often going it alone. Makes sense doesn't it? If we're going to dig ourselves out of the hole we are in, then encouraging the small business with incentives will help them grow, it will drive employment up and make a massive difference.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KXHSNfQYPBXcn97eHbnSvsKqdNPyqNwtTlbZs8rpGacFTZx_avgJB7RweZoNNkIcVArdsH89D7qsB2TlGGPLTMOdHL1qP-Qh1WH2iEkvRyl4ZaShvjqCruE6DwSZBnwBJsAj4SYS4EaQ/s1600/Acrylic+-+Business+Link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KXHSNfQYPBXcn97eHbnSvsKqdNPyqNwtTlbZs8rpGacFTZx_avgJB7RweZoNNkIcVArdsH89D7qsB2TlGGPLTMOdHL1qP-Qh1WH2iEkvRyl4ZaShvjqCruE6DwSZBnwBJsAj4SYS4EaQ/s320/Acrylic+-+Business+Link.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But... and it is a big but... The government (or local councils for that matter) neither have the resources nor the inclination to favour those who choose to be in business any more than they do now. If you choose to be in business, then there are the rules and good luck is about as much support as you are going to get, look what happened to Business Link! Nope, you are an enterprising bunch you entrepreneurs don't look to the government for help or inspiration... They chose working in the civil service!<br />
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... plus... It is a known fact, entrepreneurs in general will look at all other possibilities before taking on staff as a last resort. If you are self employed with a skill (doing something you love) you might just get hired for projects as a supplier though... A glimpse into the future there...<br />
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<b>So... What is a good way forward for self help for a small local business?</b><br />
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We are all part of the local community in which we live whether we choose to run a business or not, and if you are in business it's great to be able to meet others also in business. But you know what? 70% of what goes on in the community is nothing really to do with local business and herein lies a huge problem. Business and community are undeniably linked very closely, and yet there is virtually no mechanism for business and community to engage on a regular recurring basis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriPzNDL2tptoDmxpyLSTpeIAZCew6QNIjze_ydtft9AaRuNQXtBch-wBf83KW1y4XFFMBHy6qJTcA3N83AYVI-c5G8XCEpIddXBgOjpP5hiaUSX7vGgbqTG0RYpdu-gWPdo4Gbi5q_XiR/s1600/corporate_social_responsibility.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriPzNDL2tptoDmxpyLSTpeIAZCew6QNIjze_ydtft9AaRuNQXtBch-wBf83KW1y4XFFMBHy6qJTcA3N83AYVI-c5G8XCEpIddXBgOjpP5hiaUSX7vGgbqTG0RYpdu-gWPdo4Gbi5q_XiR/s320/corporate_social_responsibility.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
One concept to bring business and community together was corporate social responsibility (using CSR here on in). The concept was introduced mainly for large corporations in an effort to encourage them to give back to the community in return for the vast profits they extract from us. With a few exceptions this has largely been adopted in a kind of 'lip service', 'tick in the box' way, with schemes that represent a fraction of what they could do. Almost nuisance projects, allowing them to legitimately record them into their annual reports demonstrating how they are giving back to community. The tangible signs of these projects however, are far and few between.<br />
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Asking large corporates and shareholders to 'donate' their profits to community voluntarily was always going to be an uphill battle. Perhaps the concept of helping out with the local community ought to have been directed elsewhere... at a different audience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM7lqFWxvx5YqTESM4_eh_XVwTlm2YhCfaSSEmNVRy9ExaN_wo6o1DeAziNVcC8w7CUSReGl_vl6BOIPORoeY5wzSYtEanCgzW1093_B9rVHEaXQiKkkfhkiwCEges8OMH6xSoxMCIxY_/s1600/Business_And_Community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM7lqFWxvx5YqTESM4_eh_XVwTlm2YhCfaSSEmNVRy9ExaN_wo6o1DeAziNVcC8w7CUSReGl_vl6BOIPORoeY5wzSYtEanCgzW1093_B9rVHEaXQiKkkfhkiwCEges8OMH6xSoxMCIxY_/s1600/Business_And_Community.jpg" /></a></div>
And here is one solution. What if we could create a way to bring business and the community together? What if local businesses (sole traders, micro and small businesses) could engage easily with local charities and social organisations and find ways to help out? If local business people started to take a keen interest in local community issues (and contribute) their reputation would grow rapidly, as would the respect of those in the community.<br />
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When respect and reputation go before you, so do recommendations and referrals. People refer people they like, but if you are a giver too? Go straight to the top of the referrer board! By raising your profile through community engagement local businesses are effectively delivering CSR not necessarily through monetary donations, but through interaction and time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YyyJFcUiJ6mY6hBAkVKUIwhxrGDyWH-qcFk44Fzd8Ud4Fq7Bq5riHEjBdDRr-VHuNa83C2WNNd5KHPtQ0dPKYTBqvzjSPmn2xa6-_2QByJavjwSiOqSg_ntqBRvdFw0d-4aZPqET9_oy/s1600/L4B.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YyyJFcUiJ6mY6hBAkVKUIwhxrGDyWH-qcFk44Fzd8Ud4Fq7Bq5riHEjBdDRr-VHuNa83C2WNNd5KHPtQ0dPKYTBqvzjSPmn2xa6-_2QByJavjwSiOqSg_ntqBRvdFw0d-4aZPqET9_oy/s1600/L4B.png" /></a></div>
Link4Growth is about to launch <b>Link4Business</b>, a place where local businesses can meet together, to get connected, find suppliers, share tips and tricks, knowledge and expertise... But couple this with the community events, we provide a fast track route for businesses to learn about the community needs around them, and play an essential role in rebuilding our communities.<br />
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<i><b>With local small businesses leading the way, helping to rebuild our local communities, taking an increasing share of business from the multiples perhaps corporates will begin to learn the message of CSR. It would appear the only time big business listens is when something affects negatively the bottom line.</b></i>Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-29599372231582180732015-05-17T06:34:00.002-07:002015-05-17T06:34:47.250-07:00Why rebuilding community is essential and how is Link4Growth doing it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yHc5DQtia5lQ6-MkL_Trkb6n9qeda2zt3_ujzw4cgyCSa9gKikFdHLPW2ebNsbmGEBnarOwS0k0vPNxwpgHxpDA8nbmNZb6iR5hNSrFjSrszFwG4grr9l_RLs_Jo_kgIvaotkOyMViWx/s1600/Community.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yHc5DQtia5lQ6-MkL_Trkb6n9qeda2zt3_ujzw4cgyCSa9gKikFdHLPW2ebNsbmGEBnarOwS0k0vPNxwpgHxpDA8nbmNZb6iR5hNSrFjSrszFwG4grr9l_RLs_Jo_kgIvaotkOyMViWx/s320/Community.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
Community has been in steady decline for decades in the UK. Community is at its lowest ebb where the focus on money is at its greatest. Often when people move away from the South East and in particular London to other parts of the country, the north, the west country and elsewhere you hear the remarks, "people are much more friendly here". What they are alluding to are the remnants of what was prevalent across the whole of the UK... 'Community'.<br />
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A number of factors have been responsible for eroding community over the years. We did not just wake up suddenly one morning and decide... This community concept is not working any more, let's abandon it. It has happened because of a variety of factors each contributing to the steady decline year on year, slowly, almost imperceptible in its progress... but, like a slow tide coming in, over the long years, culminating in where we are today.<br />
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So what exactly has happened? what are these factors that have taken their toll on community? what have been the effects of dwindling community? why is it important to rebuild them? ... and, how are we going to do it?<br />
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To understand how community has been eroded we have to look back through the last 100 years. We must also look at the different types of communities that exist and what are the factors that have led to their decline. There are three main categories of communities that we all belong too. We are involved in many more than 3 for sure, but they fit inside these main categories. These are :-<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Family</b></li>
<li><b>Workplace</b></li>
<li><b>Public community</b></li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaigNWKVSemeSWWJfvFyNaRVVVAvLoxtz4q4J1QALJbr_wqDivTl6pQV6Amk8E9RyBuBmRuFSi43l0H2gtMRuNaRLgffhulZMIh5M0wc0KldQ6_iVNvzJAuimOegTnNr3_441GgQ17hY0/s1600/Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaigNWKVSemeSWWJfvFyNaRVVVAvLoxtz4q4J1QALJbr_wqDivTl6pQV6Amk8E9RyBuBmRuFSi43l0H2gtMRuNaRLgffhulZMIh5M0wc0KldQ6_iVNvzJAuimOegTnNr3_441GgQ17hY0/s320/Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
1. Family</h3>
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100 years ago or so it was not uncommon for people to have huge families. When talking to the more senior generation it is fairly commonplace to hear, I was the youngest of 14 children... or I am the only survivor now of 9 siblings. People had much larger families. These families of course gave rise to huge extended families running to over 100 people in 3 generations.<br />
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During this period, people also tended to not move very far. Transport was in its infancy, people didn't have cars, and consequently families grew up in the same city, town or village. This was a huge support network of related people that could be relied on to help if needed. Where 4 children would have been considered a small family back then, today, this is a large family. People are also much more mobile than ever before. Families are now not only spacially distributed across the country, but internationally too.<br />
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2. Workplace</h3>
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For the past 60-70 years and definitely up till the end of the 20th century the default work mode was to 'get a job'... and if you could find a job in a large secure company then so much the better. Talk was of good career opportunities and maybe having 3 or 4 jobs in a lifetime. There were many more manufacturing companies and often people stayed with their chosen career and a company for 30+ years.<br />
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Larger companies had 3,000+ people working for them. Located in a city or town, the majority of the people working there lived in the town, this was another huge community of people linked by a common thread... the company where they worked. This was a support network that came after the family. People you would see every day and conequently built up solid relationships over time. People you could rely on in a time of crisis.<br />
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<h3>
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3. Public community</h3>
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This public community is the wider community of local people. This consists of people that you came into touch with through perhaps a joint interest but would otherwise not necessarily know. Typical places where the 3rd community thrived are where people from any background or walk of life could assemble and have conversations. Four spring to mind... The Church, meeting at least once a week and often more. The local community centre, providing a central place for people living close together to gather for local fetes, festivals, shows etc. The pub, this was a place to talk with other local people, share connections, learn about other people in the local community. Lastly, the town centres or markets. This brought people together on Market days in a central location, to buy and sell and catch up with local news and gossip.<br />
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<h4>
What has happened to all of the above?</h4>
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Whilst reading the above it would probably have dawned on you that the world isn't like it was. Things have changed significantly. Some of these changes started decades ago, others, more recent. But the changes have been relentless. If you couple all of the above with some other significant changes below we can then take a look at the effect all of this has had on our communities... and remember it is these communities that are the glue to our social wellbeing.<br />
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<h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIGz_7LSXyNwo-pVqVfrja5vd7tD0uFEG45Lr-rPjO-bThhCBzy3wPWgc1JrwjKnppxmyPYggHOvMoPDCMFJmBEFRL7ObrywI2Yl0JDIDBTH_oVTw4F5zhbmRyXUcISRy6bKkYgPaZwvW/s1600/winAtAllCosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIGz_7LSXyNwo-pVqVfrja5vd7tD0uFEG45Lr-rPjO-bThhCBzy3wPWgc1JrwjKnppxmyPYggHOvMoPDCMFJmBEFRL7ObrywI2Yl0JDIDBTH_oVTw4F5zhbmRyXUcISRy6bKkYgPaZwvW/s1600/winAtAllCosts.jpg" /></a></div>
Focus on competition, scarcity, money and growth at all costs</h4>
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This has been a cancer that has been spreading since the 70's. It runs through everything that we now consider 'normal society' and it is probably at its worst in our schools. We have been succumbed into comparing ourselves with others and striving to be better than our neighbours, competing to be seen as a winner, to be successful, and the measurement criteria? ultimately money and what we have, but in our schools, colleges and universities this is translated as qualifications. Of course the better the qualifications are, then the better you are, and the more successful (amount of money you earn) you will become.<br />
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Society today is teaching us to divide and conquer, to look out for number 1, and to value ourselves by what we have, not who we are. It is no wonder we are falling apart. We are actively breaking down community and those trying to rebuild it are viewed as a bit 'strange'... often asked... why would you be doing this, rebuilding community?<br />
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<h4>
Let us recap and review</h4>
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Families are much smaller than ever before and spatially distributed. Often there is little on the ground support from community no. 1 anymore. The number of large companies employing thousands has dwindled to very low numbers compared to the past. Many more people are now running their own businesses working from home, isolated and often quite lonely. Job security (... long term employment with a single organisation) is now almost a thing consigned to the history books. This 2nd community almost entirely wiped out. And the 3rd community, bumping into people at public meeting places? The church... still doing great work in the community but serving an ever decreasing percentage of the population. The community centres? Very few remain and their role is now changed such that it doesn't provide the same function as before. The pubs? It is much cheaper to buy drinks from the supermarket and more people are choosing to drink at home because money is tight. The high streets and markets are all struggling with retail parks, supermarkets and online companies offering lower prices out of town or via the internet.<br />
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Many would add that with the Internet there is now no longer a need to go out at all, and that almost all our needs can be served through computers, tablets and smart phones right down to the weekly shopping. Everything that we are doing is designed so that we have no need for community, we are ok on our own, our small families and chasing the next £... But... are we happy? ... honestly?<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldNwjpDv4g5boNg6kdplBLiU4aQ-xIY3_GDyjEi2JYHighDMRJHo4sbLNxO-0Pv5UK4HYJGUmA_UUnfXDpG8q5j6f6y665uIVeURSNbyRu5JLhnfHE3MtAB9rNNCJX11yLzyeSxojoIBS/s1600/20150423_095321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldNwjpDv4g5boNg6kdplBLiU4aQ-xIY3_GDyjEi2JYHighDMRJHo4sbLNxO-0Pv5UK4HYJGUmA_UUnfXDpG8q5j6f6y665uIVeURSNbyRu5JLhnfHE3MtAB9rNNCJX11yLzyeSxojoIBS/s320/20150423_095321.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Why rebuild community? </h4>
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If you visit a Hospice and you talk to people who have a short time left on this earth and listen to the words they speak and any regrets they have about their life. Or if you go along to a funeral and you take a look at the close family of the deceased, what do you see and hear? In both cases you will not hear mention of... I wish I had got a better job, wished I'd worked harder, wished we'd had a bigger house or better car... you won't hear any of those. What you will hear is... I wish I had spent more time with my kids, I wish I'd had the chance to tell my sister, brother, mother, father how much I loved them... I wish I had repaired that relationship... I wish I'd done more with my life instead of just working and chasing money...<br />
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What is really most important in our lives is people. People and relationships, and yet we have been steered away from this by those that would have us buy more, the latest this or that, and who have created an epidemic of consumerism. We have been sold that our lives will be better the more money we have and the more stuff we have in our lives. This serves only one group of people, those providing the products and services we are lured into buying whether we really need them or not. The rest of us are caught in the trap of chasing the next pay check to buy more of the stuff we 'have to have' to keep up with everyone else... our self worth is now what we wear, the car we drive, the technology in our hand and the size of our house. And to get more of this, we have to compete and take more out of the system for ourselves... sorry someone has to lose...<br />
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<h4>
What we have isn't working for the majority...</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYJikNil71JYBfiA5Eh2UrnHCoNhh03QHaE1GktHbdYizRRsRk9_x7hwqrRYE2Qqq6STrhMR7G0ujxVeqZMH54JgsaGkmGUre-DkoBibWMbUKlHlxiZWcaBEvrQLFKzHpRdBXlJp49LTH/s1600/Totalnet_450x288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYJikNil71JYBfiA5Eh2UrnHCoNhh03QHaE1GktHbdYizRRsRk9_x7hwqrRYE2Qqq6STrhMR7G0ujxVeqZMH54JgsaGkmGUre-DkoBibWMbUKlHlxiZWcaBEvrQLFKzHpRdBXlJp49LTH/s320/Totalnet_450x288.jpg" width="320" /></a>The road we are on is not working for most of us. This is not about politics, it's about people and relationships<br />
, it is about observing what is going on around us and choosing to take some action. What action though? ... I am only one person, what difference can I make? ... try sleeping with a mosquito and asking whether someone small can make a difference.<br />
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There is a great deal of unfairness in the world today. Whilst a few have ever expanding hordes of reserves there are a great many others struggling to make ends meet and survive. But if we were to work together, to support each other, look for opportunities to help others less fortunate than ourselves, or have a need that we can help out with what a difference that might make. The reason we can't help at the moment is firstly, it is quite difficult to actually make a contribution, the mechanisms in place to volunteer are just too difficult and cumbersome, and secondly, lack of information and knowledge... we just don't talk to each other any more, and there is no common public space where we can meet and talk to find this stuff out and then connect people.<br />
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Now that is all changing!!</h4>
<br />
Link4Growth is a platform created to rebuild the 3rd community space. To provide a space for local people to once again come together and begin having conversations. To bring people together from all walks of life, from whatever background or status so that we can begin to rebuild connections and rebuild community... one person at a time. Everything starts with a conversation. It is a simple concept and it is working already with circa 100 events being hosted each month up and down the country. It's not what you know it is who you know... old, true statements that are more relevant today than ever before.<br />
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Link4Growth hosts events at different times of the day so that everyone can at least come to something. There are no costs to attend so that the focus is kept away from money and is accessible to all. We hold these informal drop in events wherever possible at local independent coffee shops or public spaces so that we support local businesses and the local economy ( #L4GBuyLocal ).<br />
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<h4>
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Over to you...</h4>
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<b>So what action can you take?</b> ... You can come along and be part of the conversation if there are events already in your town. If there is nothing in your town currently, you can start one. Just get in touch via enquiries@link4growth.biz or via the <a href="http://link4growth.biz/l4g/get-in-touch/" target="_blank">website form here</a>. You can also join in the conversation online. We have a nationwide forum <a href="http://www.2020bclive.net/">http://www.2020bclive.net</a> that you can join in with... we are also on all the social media platforms... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/link4growth?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, LinkedIn, Twitter ( <a href="http://twitter.com/Link4Growth" target="_blank">@link4growth</a> ) and <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112736466503526681192/+Link4growthBizHQ/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The community rebuilding programme exists, it is happening already, the only question left is... would you like to be part of it? ... if the answer is yes, then take action... contact us and let's get started.</i></span></b>Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-28684408505580845212015-05-02T10:48:00.001-07:002015-05-02T10:51:19.628-07:00Just how do you tell people about your charity or business?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most common challenges facing small businesses and independent charities these days is how do you get the people in your town or city to know you exist. You know in your heart that if people could find out about you, then the chances are they would use your service or products, and if you are part of a local charity, that people would support it.<br />
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The options for getting your message out there are fairly limited, pricey, and, there are no guarantees either... So what are the traditional options?<br />
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<h3>
Advertise in the local newspaper</h3>
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This can be expensive with small ads costing hundreds of pounds. Circulation of these papers is in general decline although online versions do help. Out of the reach of most smaller businesses and charities.<br />
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<h3>
Local radio</h3>
Again longer periods of advertising work out more cost effective and radio can be a good medium. But costs of producing a succinct advert and running the advertisement is out of the reach of most local businesses and charities...<br />
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<h3>
Local community magazines</h3>
Often much lower cost than newspapers these can work well for certain business types. They often need good content and stories which are a great way to expose local charities too. They also have good relevancy in that the people being marketed to and local and within easy reach. Worth exploring.<br />
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<h3>
Leaflet drops</h3>
These really work well for some kinds of businesses, especially takeaways where people pin them on their noticeboard for future reference. It also works for other services like Gardeners and gift items... but less well for more specialised services<br />
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<h3>
Local directories (online and offline)</h3>
Offline directories have become almost extinct as the Internet has rolled every forward... nowadays there are a plethora of much smaller online directories but which ones are used by people? difficult to tell... do you have to be in all of them? ... are they relevant and local?<br />
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<h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa-e7zrH0iDhzF9rZDnHFSwvBZAKAoC7scbAiwuNbSbo62n-xbWQAI6Cwk6PTClys5HiWzMtzRLSfc18Z-nmJ8G_UkuAXxCPAoMecG32tXKdcGLJr1NRA0uaevLMAVxxt6HTX__iq1ySY/s1600/iStock_000003996425XSmall_crop380w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa-e7zrH0iDhzF9rZDnHFSwvBZAKAoC7scbAiwuNbSbo62n-xbWQAI6Cwk6PTClys5HiWzMtzRLSfc18Z-nmJ8G_UkuAXxCPAoMecG32tXKdcGLJr1NRA0uaevLMAVxxt6HTX__iq1ySY/s1600/iStock_000003996425XSmall_crop380w.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
Cold calling / canvassing</h3>
With so much abuse of the telephone by PPI claims, Accident claims and people trying to sell stuff over the phone, it is no wonder that people steer away from this. If you have a Business to Business service it is still a great approach but more and more it needs to be a warm introduction first, however that is originated...<br />
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<h3>
Direct Mail</h3>
Much more prevalent in Business to Business situations. Can be effective if the document is unusual or has some unique quality that demands further investigation. Handwritten and / or highly personalised such as postcards often work best.<br />
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<h3>
Email campaigns</h3>
Another method of communication which has fallen foul of mass abuse. Email campaigns work best with a highly refined list of people that have registered and interest. Open rates can be as high as 30-40% with good lists. The effectiveness of email compaigns thus relies on the quality of the list. If no such lists exist, then, the first port of call must be to build your tribe...<br />
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<h3>
Website and search results through optimisation</h3>
Build it and they will come... err... no they won't. Websites are great except no one will visit unless you invite them (publicise your website), or you have great search engine optimisation (SEO) so that you are found for key terms that define what you do (Plumber in Watford) or... you have localisation deployed in which case you are more likely to come up for local and specific relevant searches (this is even more relevant with Google since April 2015). This can cost quite a lot of money... and it is a moving feast as the search engines are continually changing their algorithms... what works today, might not work tomorrow... and back we go again... more money, unless you are technical and can take care of things yourselves.<br />
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<h3>
Social Media</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq6ItppMCPxCsFE0o-JFSEbRo05f2O2zDp2cBW5AkO9XGEqYiBXwfFK6zldeeiUdLh-qqo_-ujTqwIAELu0UUwIxuwXq9Lj0Y2oqQSnG42h0M3Ah_JRXCNRzbqmqcebpRJCPTGlI3jX1j/s1600/Social+Media.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq6ItppMCPxCsFE0o-JFSEbRo05f2O2zDp2cBW5AkO9XGEqYiBXwfFK6zldeeiUdLh-qqo_-ujTqwIAELu0UUwIxuwXq9Lj0Y2oqQSnG42h0M3Ah_JRXCNRzbqmqcebpRJCPTGlI3jX1j/s1600/Social+Media.png" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
Unfortunately Businesses and to a lesser extent charities have seen social media not as an engagement tool to build relationships, support and referrals but as a low cost broadcasting and marketing platform... once again, buy my stuff. This has 'spoilt', not irrevocably, these platforms but there is much to do in terms of education on how to use these platforms in a way that serves us instead of annoying people. Social Media is about developing relationships with people, creating a community online, a tribe of people that want to hear what you say and respect your comments and thoughts.<br />
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<h3>
Blogging</h3>
This is a great way of demonstrating your expertise, but like any other online approach somehow you need to rise above the noise. With billions of updates daily, the only people who will be seeing your content are those that you have built a relationship with.<br />
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<h3>
Business Networking</h3>
Beyond the scope of most charities due to cost and to most micro businesses for the very same reason, Business networking does enable people in business to get to know each other, build relationships and advertise what they do. For those in the community that would like to meet up and have conversations with others from the local area, irrespective of whether in business or not, hitherto there has been very little available... until now...<br />
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<h4>
Not easy is it?</h4>
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Clearly some of the above may work for your business or charity but looking through them you may well feel you've tried them all at some time but that you wanted perhaps a bit more success for the effort involved, or the money invested.<br />
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Recognising the challenges of invisible local businesses and charities and the need to raise their profile is one of the fundamental missions of Link4Growth. The important question to ask any business or charity would be, would you be enjoying more success and engagement if everyone within a 5 mile radius knew you existed and who you were?<br />
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Of course it is a rhetorical question... However, how could that possibly be achieved? One of the underlying fundamental strategies of Link4Growth is to enable people to more easily find (and buy) from local businesses, and for those in business to be able to engage with the community and share what they do, all for little or no cost. For local charities it is about removing their cloak of invisibility and making people aware of their existence and the good work they are doing.<br />
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<h4>
So how can Link4Growth help? ... Let's start by asking some questions</h4>
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What if there was a way to represent how we are organised physically in the online world? What if we could create counties, cities, towns and villages and then enable people to participate and include themselves in those places where they live and work? What if they could then contribute to those communities and share what is happening in their life, community around them, and work? What instead of guessing how to find local people and relying on search to come up with the goods we were able to find what is around us through a simple structure that organises what is happening in our community for us in an easy way?<br />
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<h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOrRTYX3OMVxcplzCGj5D4g9Wo9wxUEv0JJSA6DtDWFFYO6HfuZXK7O42lywHXDnkw2m8sA7xYiv9l0oQ0y-i74_05vclA9cJ3tSQKwQyfXlyIF6GdjMoCXATUlELjD-I9YNrtmF5INo/s1600/CommunityWebsite-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOrRTYX3OMVxcplzCGj5D4g9Wo9wxUEv0JJSA6DtDWFFYO6HfuZXK7O42lywHXDnkw2m8sA7xYiv9l0oQ0y-i74_05vclA9cJ3tSQKwQyfXlyIF6GdjMoCXATUlELjD-I9YNrtmF5INo/s1600/CommunityWebsite-1.png" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
Welcome to the Link4Growth District Websites...</h3>
These are community platforms not controlled and managed by individuals but open to anyone that wishes to contribute and share what is going on locally. It is completely organic, so as more people begin to add local information about what is happening in the community the more rich and diverse the content. Think local community magazine or newspaper but where we, the community, can freely publish what is going on. No waiting for an editor to approve things or filter out our contributions. No delays or time constraints to get in the next publication... and to share what you want to say is both quick and easy to do...<br />
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Now at last we have a place to easily publicise what is going on in our community. No guessing where to put the information. No wondering how you are going to tell others what you are doing. Now... if you have something to say... you can say it. The best bit about this is that, once you have put the information out there... others in the community can easily help to spread the word and share it on other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and elsewhere, so people not yet engaged on the community platform don't miss out.<br />
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<h3>
There is so much good happening in our community that we don't ever hear about...</h3>
95% of what goes on in our communities is good. But good news unfortunately rarely make the news. So you might be thinking according to what you do hear about, that where you live or work is pretty bad with lots of awful things going on. Actually this won't be the case. This is our opportunity to learn about the amazing people in our community and what is really happening. Our chance to shout out about good things that are going on, the people making these things happen and be positive about where we live and work. If we all did this right across the country what a huge difference in just 'feeling and energy' would that make?<br />
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<h4>
Below some of the highlights of what we are able to do with the community platform...</h4>
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<h3>
Do you have pictures or videos about your business or charity?</h3>
Tell your story with text, pictures and / or video, you can share what is happening so that others in the community can learn more about you, your business or charity<br />
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<h3>
Local business directory (by category)</h3>
Get found easily by those looking for what you do in a dedicated local business directory. Good news spreads fast!<br />
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<h3>
Post regular updates and keep people informed</h3>
You can update when, and as often as you like. Tell the community about special services, offers or announcements... Get your message to a wider audience easily and fast<br />
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<h3>
Attend local community building networking events and benefit from the list below :-</h3>
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<ol>
<li>Have conversations and get to know other local people</li>
<li>Make new friends</li>
<li>Get introduced to people you would like to meet</li>
<li>Find suppliers or collaborators</li>
<li>Find customers or new supporters of your charity</li>
<li>Learn new skills, gain tips and tricks from other local people</li>
<li>Help others, share your knowledge, expertise and experience</li>
<li>Be a contributor to your local community</li>
<li>Open to all</li>
<li>Brings together like minded people and accelerates good initiatives and projects</li>
</ol>
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<h4>
Summary...</h4>
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If you operate within a 5 mile radius Link4Growth exists to ensure you can achieve your goals, sustainably from your local community. There are a huge number of people doing great work already in the local community. Link4Growth enables us to share this with others... get the message out there so more people know about it. This can only be a good thing!<br />
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Do you operate nationally, or want to? ... Link4Growth's community forum joins us altogether nationally... Spread your message to the four corners of the UK and beyond...<br />
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Link4Growth District Websites are here to enable the community to come together online and work together. It's like a big filing cabinet bringing, the people in the community, local businesses, local charities, local events, pictures, videos, news, stories and everything going on locally into one place. Everyone can participate that's the amazing thing and everyone benefits... Fantastic for local businesses and charities, for those looking to support buying from local people... this in turn enables the local economy to flourish which in turn builds community itself. It really is win, win, win, win, win!<br />
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Access to the District websites is 24/7, and available on every device from Mobiles to Tablets, Macs to PC's and on iOS and Android...<br />
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Ok you might need to learn a few of the basics to start contributing at any of the community networking events or via <a href="http://www.link4skills.com/" target="_blank">Link4Skills online workshops</a>... Many will actually already have the skills and access to these districts websites without even knowing it! ... in this case you'll just need showing where to find things.<br />
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Ok... So how much does it cost to participate in the above? ... Nothing... Yes... Nothing. It is all free to use and be part of.<br />
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Should you wish to contribute to Link4Growth (a not for profit) and support us in providing the infrastructure then you can do this for £3 per month, or £36 for 13 months... And by the way this is not obligatory.<br />
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<h4>
Too good to be true? ... </h4>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">99 times out of 100 you'd probably be right... on this occasion you would be completely wrong. Link4Growth does not exist for its own benefit. Link4Growth exists to support and help the people in the community, <i><span style="color: blue;">and if you think that is worth supporting then drop us an email on enquiries@link4growth.biz or... <a href="http://link4growth.biz/l4g/get-in-touch/" target="_blank">visit the contact us form on the website here</a>...</span></i></span></b>Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-69854712567216271592015-03-05T04:43:00.001-08:002015-03-05T05:04:42.069-08:00Link4Growth... how can you participate?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV6N0PXjYQIr-jeAZQdbUyKW-i4T1Dz9do_MiCZw9eYU2w-qAvfffEZk8fQhATBXapZrKBDlzYNrBcWexYevPuXcaBgIBWGMm1qCgslpsxvtzWsbXB3b4geir0Klt0up70FZLvy2-nYPG/s1600/burning_car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV6N0PXjYQIr-jeAZQdbUyKW-i4T1Dz9do_MiCZw9eYU2w-qAvfffEZk8fQhATBXapZrKBDlzYNrBcWexYevPuXcaBgIBWGMm1qCgslpsxvtzWsbXB3b4geir0Klt0up70FZLvy2-nYPG/s1600/burning_car.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
We hear about a lot of things that are wrong in the world, on a global scale, on a national scale and even locally too. Countries fighting each other, corrupt governments, education, health, jobs, immigration, taxes and all manner of complex issues and on a local scale, issues around housing, local projects, local business, charity, buses, and many other local things which have a direct effect on our daily lives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBgiQlh0jR4Ooe3CHOb9XxuPU0udbRWJ2XUnfdOBmrF58zJOr1Is5c4K-lwh9PULDyvI1Np4d5wmICvO5RtWM_lkA0Wen12I6ICYgXwEf03vhgY9gpeBR-OgZ8mkNPjdlVYR61DF6PWGG/s1600/The_Zeitgeist_Movement_logo_by_TZM_Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBgiQlh0jR4Ooe3CHOb9XxuPU0udbRWJ2XUnfdOBmrF58zJOr1Is5c4K-lwh9PULDyvI1Np4d5wmICvO5RtWM_lkA0Wen12I6ICYgXwEf03vhgY9gpeBR-OgZ8mkNPjdlVYR61DF6PWGG/s1600/The_Zeitgeist_Movement_logo_by_TZM_Official.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
We also hear quite a bit (if we're plugged in) about a lot of people doing good things too... <b>The Green Party</b>, <b>Zeitgeist</b>, <b>Occupy</b> and organisations such as <b>38</b>, <b>GlobalNet</b>, <b>Avaaz</b> all of whom are raising awareness of the inequality we have today, injustices and highlighting things to the masses which are plainly not in the majority's best interest... There are great initiatives that are happening under our noses across the UK too... Some examples <b>Enterprise Rockers</b>, <b>BITC Connectors</b>, '<b>The Thrive Programme</b>', <b>Transition towns</b>, <b>Time banking</b>, <b>Food-coops</b>, <b>Local Charities</b> and <b>Community Interest Companies (CIC's)</b>... And there are thousands of other local initiatives all seeking to improve things going on all around us.<br />
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These groups above are all doing amazing work... And what they all want and need is our support... and more people to join them... but like every other organisation out there whether it be in the commercial or voluntary sector, they need...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>to get their message out there and spread the good news about what they are doing</li>
<li>to have the infrastructure in place to underpin and enable their expansion</li>
</ul>
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How can they reach out and spread the word, how can we expedite these fantastic initiatives and accelerate the rate of change?<br />
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<b>Link4Growth</b> has been created to do just this. <b>Link4Growth</b> is a platform that acts like an umbrella enabling all the different facets of community to come together with no hidden or alternative agenda. <b>Link4Growth</b> is recreating the third community space once again. The first two communities are our families and our workplaces, the third is where we can come together as members of the same physical community and have conversations with those around us. Any age, any background, any creed or colour, in business or not, everyone is welcome. <b>Link4Growth</b> provides space to meet, talk, listen, learn, connect, share and inspire. It's about bringing everyone together in a cohesive way so that we can achieve much more... A structured platform for...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Unity, bringing people together who are doing great things</li>
<li>Sharing ideas, experience and knowledge</li>
<li>Replicating best practice</li>
<li>Collaboration in creating the future we would like to see</li>
<li>Nurturing & Supporting each other</li>
<li>Inspiration, creativity and problem solving</li>
<li>Meeting like minded folk who care and want to help others to be happy & achieve</li>
</ol>
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<b>Link4Growth</b> is truly open, random and supportive; No barriers to participation, open to all and here to serve the people and through recognising that we are all connected and interdependent with those around us. It is delivering through physical events at different times of the day so that it is inclusive and enables everyone to attend at least something. We use local independent businesses (e.g. Coffee shops, pubs, hotels) as far as possible for meeting up, walking the talk of <b>#L4GBuyLocal</b>. Recognising that the success of our local businesses and buying local is critical for rebuilding our communities and operating in a more harmonious sustainable manner.<br />
<br />
<b>Link4Growth</b> offers a 'plug and play' infrastructure that those doing great work in our communities can now tap into at no cost. This is delivered in two ways; first, through a (soon to be nationwide) network of community building events delivered by District Leaders and their teams at the village, town and city level. Second; but equally important is the other 50% which is online that works in unison with the physical; Link4Growth has architected an online infrastructure (utilising existing free social media platforms) that mirrors how we are organised spatially on the ground. This is now bringing new levels of engagement, connectivity and collaboration than has ever possible before.<br />
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So how could you or your organisation tap into <b>Link4Growth</b> and why?<br />
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<h4>
<b>1. We want to give back</b></h4>
<br />
Most people would love to make a contribution to their community. One of the main issues is that we don't have the infrastructure to enable those that want to contribute to be able to do so, in the way that they want to. Volunteering is actually believe it or not quite difficult to do with limited opportunities or variety, and stacks of bureaucracy getting in the way. <b>Link4Growth</b> enables us to talk, find out what tasks, services or products are required by those in need, so that we can connect the right resources and take action. Every skill we have there is a home for somewhere and <b>Link4Growth</b> enables us all to make a contribution providing a service (or product) that we are happy to give.<br />
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<h4>
2. Remove the cloak of invisibility for your charity</h4>
<br />
Many charities are started on a shoestring with a tiny budget and possibly on the back of a grant to get things going. Many are started by people who want to do good work in the community but have never run anything like it before and don't know what to do. <b>Link4Growth</b> can help raise the profile of local charities, increase the number of local connections and reduce the reliance on handouts. <b>Link4Growth</b> is a joined up community network (not just for businesses, but everyone in the community) that for the first time allows charities to get out and meet local people and businesses for no real cost... Linked to a national network too means that charities can share expertise, knowledge, 'what works what doesn't', and increase their reach with little to no financial investment.<br />
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<h4>
3. Raise the profile of your local businesses</h4>
<br />
Just how do you get the good news about your products and services out to local people? Ask any small business and they will tell you it's tough. It used to be quite simple... It did cost money, but advertise in the local paper, drop leaflets or pay for local advertisements on bill boards or other street furniture. But times are changing, nowadays there is networking and all the online social media paraphernalia that we are told we must do. Life just got a whole load more complex!<br />
<br />
Help is at hand though. <b>Link4Growth</b> enables you to network locally and raise your profile for very little cost , plus we have workshops and training programmes to get you up to speed both with online technology but with a vast array of other educational programmes as well. <b>Link4Growth</b> also runs a local TV platform where we can share your promotional videos or even help you get one done... We also provide a local business directory where YOU can post specials offers, promotions, stories, events you might be running, and much much more, all for free.<br />
<br />
With as many local businesses as possible joining forces we can create a real movement towards <b>#L4GBuyLocal</b>. By making people aware of local traders, entrepreneurs and businesses and by inviting people to consider buying from local people in the community first, we can start to vote with our feet and get the ball rolling for change.<br />
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<h4>
4. Share great ideas, experiences and replicate best practice, fast</h4>
<br />
Buried inside our communities are some people with great ideas. As mentioned already there are thousands of great initiatives being started all the time. Many of these ideas could be replicated and duplicated across the country. We are moving towards a much more collaborative and supportive environment so let's get sharing and make things happen.<br />
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Some of these ideas might not even happen but by having conversations, fine tuning concepts, and working together many more good things could be started involving thousands more people.<br />
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<h4>
5. Expand great ideas nationally</h4>
<br />
There are many examples of successful localised projects which are equally relevant right across the country. The historical challenge has been how can people find out about these projects? <b>Link4Growth</b> solves this challenge, by enabling us to easily connect with others around the country in an atmosphere of support and nurturing.<br />
<br />
Expanding any idea nationally often requires travel, holding events and a fair amount of investment. <b>Link4Growth</b> acts like a plug 'n' play platform. Share your idea / project on the national Link4Growth community forum and instantly get access to people and their connections all around the UK. Couple this with our workshops and training on how to use technology to share information and experience across spatial distances we can achieve much more faster than ever before.<br />
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<h4>
6. Enable existing organisations to deploy infrastructure at no cost</h4>
<br />
There are many organisations that have already created a tribe of people that have signed up to an idea, initiative or concept. The challenge is taking the next step. Enabling people to communicate easily in a structured, organised way that is both effective and low cost and which leads to massive action. This requires systems and infrastructure. <b>Link4Growth</b> has developed a lean model that organisations can plug into and use as a catalyst to accelerate their activities.<br />
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<h4>
7. Learning and Education to share our collective knowledge</h4>
<br />
As a nation we pretty much have all the knowledge we need, the problem is that it is locked inside our heads and is not able to reach those that need it. Not any more. Through providing a platform for rich engagement and conversation we are able to share what we know with others, nationally... More than that though...<br />
<br />
We have created a secondary platform called <b>Link4Skills</b> that uses Internet video streaming technology (at no cost) to deliver webinars and workshops. Now, those that want to share their experience, knowledge and expertise can do this easily (with a little training) without the need for travel by either party. We call this '<b>the people's University</b>'. Empowering us to pool our collective knowledge to help all of us grow!<br />
<br />
<h3>
In summary...</h3>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Link4Growth</b> is enabling us to take responsibility and play our part in our communities. We now have the infrastructure and a methodology to rebuild community from the grass roots up. <b>Link4Growth</b> is encouraging the idea that we value each other not by what we have, but by our contribution. <b>Link4Growth</b> focuses us on what is really the most important... <b><span style="font-size: large;">People and Relationships...</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Link "<span style="background-color: orange;">4</span>" Growth is about <b>(1) <span style="color: blue;">personal growth</span></b>, <b>(2) <span style="color: blue;">community growth</span></b>, <b>(3) <span style="color: blue;">business growth</span></b> and <b>(4) <span style="color: blue;">national growth</span></b>...</span><br />
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<b><i>Change is already upon us... Now just a question of whether you would like to participate... Would you like to play your part?</i></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13915260323923266111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097407318577725121.post-26085463118550104272014-04-29T05:44:00.000-07:002014-04-30T10:38:14.917-07:00What is the 'Link4Growth Community Platform' ? ... and how WE are going to rebuild a nation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are a lot of challenges facing us today... There are challenges with inequality, the gap between the rich and poor gets wider by the day. We have punitive austerity measures that are affecting millions of people. There is a massive rise in Food banks and their use... We have an education system that is failing our young people with a million 16-25 year olds out of work... we are the unhealthiest we have ever been... obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and degenerative diseases are more rampant than ever before...<br />
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<b>Would you not agree that it is time for change?</b><br />
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Welcome to the Link4Growth Community Platform... a platform to bring us together as a nation and remove the problems described above... it is a considerable task, but is absolutely possible... not only is it possible it has already begun... and it is gathering pace... This post is designed to explain the mechanics of how we are going to rebuild our country, how you can get involved and play your part. There is absolutely something for everyone... whatever background, age, or disposition... if you would like to be part of this... you can!!<br />
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Where do you start?<br />
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One of the things which has happened over the past 30-50 years is the gradual erosion of our communities. In the past people knew their neighbours, helped out when times were tough... but in the capitalistic dream (we bought) it became everyone for themselves... we began to measure our value with possessions, and so in the mad scramble of competition, the community spirit was lost... we only did anything for anyone if we were to be paid... and in order to feed the insatiable need for money, we had no time, and we had no need for community.<br />
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But the game is up... the capitalistic experiment has failed us, look at what we have created... it is little to be proud of... here are some major observations of changes happening right now... all of them gathering pace...<br />
<ol>
<li>Many people are becoming disillusioned and fed up with the rat race... fed up working hard, so the rich get richer. The Internet is enabling men and women to fit their work around their lives, perhaps accept a bit less income, but one which actually enables us be far happier with a much better quality of life. Family time is becoming more important.</li>
<li>When we have re-evaluated our lifestyle and taken the focus away from money and possessions, appreciation and gratitude of what we have emerges. The people in our lives become far more important... relationships, support and nurturance becomes our natural state </li>
<li>As we spend more time working from home and / or with our family we become more conscious of what is happening around us, we become more engaged... and begin to take more responsibility for the community in which we live and work. People often become hugely passionate about where they live and want to improve it for all... the more the merrier!</li>
<li>As we start to engage more locally, we discover a world of people we never knew before... we discover what they do, what skills and knowledge they have, what services they provide... and as we grow to like these people we begin to use their services and recommend them to others</li>
<li>When we talk more and when we connect with each other so we also share information, our knowledge and expertise. By osmosis we can pick up information on a range of topics such as personal development, wellness tips, nutrition and even how to use technology to support us in our endeavours or daily lives... </li>
<li>As our communities develop and mature people begin to help each other out, swap skills, "if you do this for me, I'll help you out with that..." we can actually reduce the cost of living as we move away from total dependency on money to becoming an interdependent member of our community... Everyone is important, everyone has a contribution to make, everyone has a voice... we can all serve... we all have value... </li>
</ol>
The above processes are happening naturally in society slowly but surely... but we are about to accelerate this process...<br />
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Introducing the "<b><i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i></b>" and the mechanics of rebuilding our communities and our country... It is time to get reconnected... Let's start talking to each other again and discovering those amazing people around us who make up our local communities...<br />
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<b>Meet Offline... </b><br />
These are local events where we physically meet up, talk, listen, learn and connect. There are no fees to attend so there are no financial barriers, literally anyone from any walk of life can attend. To rebuild our communities we need 100% involvement, social organisations, charities, Schools / colleges, businesses, unemployed... everyone should be given the opportunity to join in... Events are held at different times of the day so there is something that everyone is able to get along too. Currently we host Link4Breakfast (early morning), Link4Coffee (mid morning), CSRLuncheons (noon - 2pm) and Link4Drinks (evening social).<br />
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<b>Meet Online...</b><br />
Not ready to go to an offline event yet? No offline events in your area yet? or perhaps you can't get to a local event? You can join the community for your city, town or village online in the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i>. Here you can meet, chat, learn and connect with other local people to you. When ready you can then meet up at any one of the local Link4Growth physical events in your community... or just get on and start one. Every inch of the UK is covered, so if you live in the UK you are already in the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i>!<br />
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<b>A platform to take action...</b><br />
There is no cavalry folks!! ... if this country is to be rebuilt, then it is us that has to rebuild it! ... If a job needs doing then connect with some other locals who feel the same way and let's get cracking. What on earth have we been waiting for? ... Now we can easily find and connect with other local like minded people we can start to transform our local community. There is so much that needs doing, we just need the encouragement and support to kick things off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwlwjd6iLkOpzOuKB0HQ00cKMRTAHtWzzHoGqJHhhC_PSUWO89rrlPPfb9IDJRQhEKO_pd4eqUhqr18JLULCBDpecd_K6YRwtxAjaorURLQd8SkJGQhayjXka3N2VhYzXoL-Jup1g7cxk/s1600/MakeTheNews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwlwjd6iLkOpzOuKB0HQ00cKMRTAHtWzzHoGqJHhhC_PSUWO89rrlPPfb9IDJRQhEKO_pd4eqUhqr18JLULCBDpecd_K6YRwtxAjaorURLQd8SkJGQhayjXka3N2VhYzXoL-Jup1g7cxk/s1600/MakeTheNews.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>A platform for us to report and share the news...</b><br />
At last a place where everything about our local community can be found in one location... and where everyone can contribute! No need to struggle finding different web sites to get the local information you need. Talking to people around the UK what we hear is that there are many amazing good news stories going untold... why? Because good news doesn't sell local papers... with the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i>... you make the news... you can share news you're involved in and comment on other peoples news... No editor to remove your story... no editor to adjust or modify your words... you get to say what you want in your own words... how amazing is that? Take a look at the <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/104021693204833604565?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0" target="_blank">L4G Watford community</a>... This is taking shape and is our very own local community magazine where we can all make a contribution!! ... shall we get your community magazine started?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeEtIz8EWcIMjiUZyOKG4V2S51HmBB_UirTUoIwA3wZK0b7fdrO-opgkw7e22-dh1O_G1jmpcsgJ4OhW92FrvbL1rP1-xapvXEotHcHslwm2YjvdEcly12EZiEr6qBBBiYMW1U42X4m20/s1600/PicturesInWatford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeEtIz8EWcIMjiUZyOKG4V2S51HmBB_UirTUoIwA3wZK0b7fdrO-opgkw7e22-dh1O_G1jmpcsgJ4OhW92FrvbL1rP1-xapvXEotHcHslwm2YjvdEcly12EZiEr6qBBBiYMW1U42X4m20/s1600/PicturesInWatford.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>A platform for us to celebrate the community we live in...</b><br />
Up and down the country we have heard people moaning about their towns... how bad it is... all the negative aspects... All I've personally seen is how amazing these communities and places are... from the Redcar Riviera in the north east to the awesome Lutonia in the south... How about Penrith? ... it might be a long way up the M6 but it is next to some of the most amazing scenery in Britain... everywhere has so much beauty if only we could all see it... well now we can folks!! Take pictures, take video... lots of it! ... and share it on the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> for your community... let's get positive about our towns and just watch the difference it makes... a few smiling faces and happy people could start something really special! ... Take a <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/104021693204833604565/stream/dc9ff1f8-2205-4ffb-b26c-7c8440d95405?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0" target="_blank">look at some of the pictures in Watford here</a>... this is a side of the town rarely seen... budding journalists, local photographers... media people... or just anyone with a smart phone... this is your chance to shine, get out there and expose your talents!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuuk5ni2xi6TygrlEgO5sOfM5xaxOpV5EWj0V6XBt-fc-T2V7a-EDF_Y8qoEevS4HdzHlcWtGXWvvjlfJlJXeoEUkdIm_an6kPFzwOrMPC2owv9zIqqchyR8vr98kcZevwafVHr6dBdN8/s1600/CommunityTVChannel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuuk5ni2xi6TygrlEgO5sOfM5xaxOpV5EWj0V6XBt-fc-T2V7a-EDF_Y8qoEevS4HdzHlcWtGXWvvjlfJlJXeoEUkdIm_an6kPFzwOrMPC2owv9zIqqchyR8vr98kcZevwafVHr6dBdN8/s1600/CommunityTVChannel.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>A platform that provides us with CommunityTV... </b><br />
Now everyone can find out what is going on locally from the comfort of their home... the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> enables us to create TV channels to showcase the rich diversity of our local community life... Youth Shows, Local issue Debating platform, Health & Wellness, Business, A Charity channel... education opportunities... the possibilities are limited only by our imagination. This is being piloted in the <a href="https://plus.google.com/117676007217247400775/videos?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0" target="_blank">SW Herts district</a> and is about to gather momentum. Presenters need only have access to the Internet and a laptop and the platform allows for inviting guests onto the TV show from anywhere. Multiple guests can join in either during the shows or even at the same time... it is possible to even have roving reporters out there interviewing locally, even on the street, live for these community TV shows... this is a real chance to bring our local communities to life. All the shows are recorded too! Can't make the live show? ... watch in catchup via the community video library. What a chance for young people to plug into the technology and begin to carve out new skills and new business opportunities... let's create the future!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm6sgGelATO85h3LZkfPrPVoXUaYCitTw-p5W454ZY-R-hkQS0TqHopvKz5Ud6g8P3sQHZL8hmZjpR8lWBxVbTyZ-c-0c9c2np540WaGAHT9pd7UFVKZfjG2t8uK0505mAfjy5M4Yp0vY/s1600/L4GBuyLocal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm6sgGelATO85h3LZkfPrPVoXUaYCitTw-p5W454ZY-R-hkQS0TqHopvKz5Ud6g8P3sQHZL8hmZjpR8lWBxVbTyZ-c-0c9c2np540WaGAHT9pd7UFVKZfjG2t8uK0505mAfjy5M4Yp0vY/s1600/L4GBuyLocal.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>A platform that encourages us to buy local... </b><br />
Did you know that for every pound you spend with a local trader 5 times as much of it stays in the local economy, that has to be good for our local community. In the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> we have special communities for local independent businesses. Take a look at the <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/109008711969897849983?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0" target="_blank">L4G BuyLocal Watford</a> community. An independent business can create their own Brand page and this page can then join the BuyLocal community. This is all FREE, and you can start to tell the local community about you and your business. If you have a good news story, a happy customer or some special offers... you can now tell the community directly yourself... no delays, no waiting around for someone to post on your behalf. Easily learned and totally FREE to join in... we can now create a totally interactive and local directory for independent local businesses... now that is very powerful! We believe that the majority of local businesses could do all the business they need within a 10 mile radius, so what is the biggest reason that this is a struggle? ... answer... they are wearing a 'Cloak of Invisibility'. Too few people know about these small independents... and money available for advertising / marketing is scarce... so time to change this. The <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> is designed to provide a zero cost opportunity for both local businesses AND Charities to remove their '<b>Cloak of Invisibility</b>' and be found by everyone in the local community... it is time for the transformation, revitalise our local economies and bring recognition to those unsung heroes in our charities and social organisations!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU3GsUxh3keY2HuE7imiZ3-_FsZkuse3SZ27aInwA9dZPz0vJ5sL9B9HWgEkjh2P6erQb9gf0HK23vsbYb29D2nt2zXHNNt4u2Rj3Mms8R88UpFQCrTAdCmZKEvTve8quWaPg_9su9n82/s1600/college-students.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU3GsUxh3keY2HuE7imiZ3-_FsZkuse3SZ27aInwA9dZPz0vJ5sL9B9HWgEkjh2P6erQb9gf0HK23vsbYb29D2nt2zXHNNt4u2Rj3Mms8R88UpFQCrTAdCmZKEvTve8quWaPg_9su9n82/s1600/college-students.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>A platform that allows us to re-integrate the youth of today and encourage them to create their future...</b><br />
Did you know that there are 1 million 16-25 year olds out of work... 700,000 who are feeling pretty hopeless about their future. Many of whom are waiting for that dream job to fall into their laps. I'm afraid we have failed these young people (<a href="http://www.chrisogle.com/2014/04/it-is-time-for-our-young-people-to.html" target="_blank">click here to visit my blog on this subject</a>) ... but the next biggest growth sector in our economy is going to be 'community building' and all the elements that make it up... as has already been said rebuilding our country is a massive task and there is enough work for everyone. It is a sacrilege that we have people doing nothing when there is so much to do... So we need to engage the young people of today, share with them the richness of what is available in community building today... they already 'get' the technology, they already 'get' the concepts of sharing and collaboration, they have been doing this for years... We just need to open their eyes, give them some ideas, nurture them in developing their skills ... and then watch them flourish... we owe it to them and there are so many interesting and diverse things that need doing there is something for them all... what we need to do is help them discover what they are passionate about... let us tap them into L4GYouth with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111070660910289143566" target="_blank">+Alex Murray</a> and bring these young people back into the community as positive contributors... after all... they will be in this world much longer than many of us!<br />
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<b>A flexible, expandable platform that can grow and develop as we do... </b><br />
Rebuilding our community is a challenging project... it cannot be mapped out in advance, it is a journey. The destination is not known... we've never done it before. But with millions of minds working together to create the new future we want to see we are pretty confident we can come up with the right answers. As we learn we can add new areas to each community such as the sharing of information on Health and Wellness, Food and Nutrition which will have a positive impact on us and our families. It's not like going back to school, this is about sharing things we are interested in and that others might find the same. If you have tips on saving money, or how to be more eco friendly or even how to switch to buying from local independents rather than the supermarkets others might be interested to read them. The <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> can be whatever we want it to be... and it is likely to be different for each local community, and that is absolutely how it should be... let us celebrate our diversity and share it with the rest of the nation.<br />
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<b>A platform for education and sharing knowledge...</b><br />
We all have expertise and knowledge in fact collectively we have all the knowledge and ideas we need, the challenge is that it is locked inside our heads and we have no easy way to share this information with others. The <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> gives us the channel to share information locally, regionally and nationally... this can be done with written material or via video conferencing that can be broadcast across the nation. The rebirth of our country depends on us being able to unlock this latent knowledge and get it out there to those that need it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCF1xOrKouAHBzdz_9Acw2jHgvvdYmPzk9j043j4QwlEQtlY7dGTzgb5cKNwhNgVWZySevjp6ii4EAyllXv9S6w6GEWcVRtfMD6UpOmmkNyCLf92iGd-31qphua6WVYNeEApxIQWjL_Nb/s1600/MentoringTakeYourSeat.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCF1xOrKouAHBzdz_9Acw2jHgvvdYmPzk9j043j4QwlEQtlY7dGTzgb5cKNwhNgVWZySevjp6ii4EAyllXv9S6w6GEWcVRtfMD6UpOmmkNyCLf92iGd-31qphua6WVYNeEApxIQWjL_Nb/s1600/MentoringTakeYourSeat.png" height="142" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>A platform for business development and mentoring...</b><br />
We often speak to small independent businesses, who are the lifeblood of this country and they are crying out for more support and help. Often this plea for help is directed at the Government who are not able to provide 'on the ground' real support. Nor do these businesses need help from tired Tim's who used to run businesses years ago. What is needed is useful, state of the art assistance from people out there running businesses today. The <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> provides a low cost opportunity to tap into business mentors and those with the expertise to nurture and support small businesses but who are out there at the coalface doing it today in the current economic climate. We need these local small businesses to be successful as they are the engine room for our communities and fund many of the local social initiatives.<br />
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<b>A platform to plug into and collaborate with, for fast growth... </b><br />
If you want to reach out to a national audience... the <i>Link4Growth Community Platform</i> enables you to plug right in and communicate across 70 districts covering the whole of the UK fast and efficiently... The platform exists already and it provides instant scalability... collaboration is the future and Link4Growth wants to help spread great ideas fast... so talk to us and find out how you can plug straight into the platform.<br />
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There is such opportunity around the corner... there is excitement about what is possible... the platforms are in place... the platforms can scale to millions of people... <b><i>now we have the chance to create the future we really want... the time is now... are you ready?</i></b><br />
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Chris Oglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04237692800814863424noreply@blogger.com2