Meet Wendy Gannaway from Genius Learning - Summer August Q&A 2021

It's August and the height of summer although the weather may not always reflect that. Often in business it can be a slower month as children are not at school, parents take time off and many people take a break. Will this year be as different as last year? Time will tell.

We've been talking to various business owners about their summer and autumn plans and today we're talking to Wendy Gannaway who is co-director of innovative learning and development company Genius Learning which provides dynamic and inspirational training to companies looking to empower and develop their teams.

Working with business partner Caroline Esterson and other associates, Genius Learning also works with C-suite executives on a one-to-one basis to help them upskill and improve their own performance.  

How is August looking in your business? 

August is actually looking rather ‘hot’ for our business. Traditionally August is not a busy time for training consultancies because corporates were less inclined to arrange staff training during this time due to workforce being on holiday. We haven’t always found that to be the case and some years we have had some good assignments. 

This year, some high end retail brands have invited us to help them with important projects relating to exciting topics such as innovation, inspirational leadership and culture change. 

So far this month we've been in design and planning mode ready to deliver before peak season hits. In addition we are launching a major personal development programme aimed at those who want to sharpen their edge to fast-track their careers without the pain, frustrations and game-playing often found within corporate life. 

What are your personal plans for this month?

Ahh this is sore spot at the moment because we had planned a holiday to the USA which is looking likely not to take place…again! Holidaying nearer home in Europe is fraught with complications with the changing rules. 

And the staycation option is not looking promising because many places are fully booked and/or are extortionately expensive. So it will probably be something very last minute or days out. 

We will take some breaks because we need to and because it will be a busy run up to Christmas, it will just have to be a ‘wait and see’ break!

The Olympics – Tokyo 2020 – are finished though the Paralympics are about to start. Have you seen anything which inspired you? 

I have to admit, I haven’t really watched the Olympics this time. I think the heat of the football and tennis has exhausted me for watching more sport! That said, the Paralympics always fascinates and inspires me. I watch these guys play and get incredible results which reminds me that I can do anything if I really, really want to and apply my mind to it. I think we can all take inspiration for the Paralympics especially. 

Did you know last Saturday was World Entrepreneurs Day? What does this word mean to you and do you apply it to yourself? 

I know there are many definitions for the word ‘entrepreneur’ that relate to taking risks and making money. 

For me, an entrepreneur is much more than that; it’s about seeing a problem, (or if you don’t like the word ‘problem’, you can substitute it for ‘need’), translating that into an ‘opportunity’ and then providing a solution without waiting for anyone else to tell you to do it.  

Do I apply it to myself? Of course! I actually started doing this, ie. operating as an ‘entrepreneur’, before I started my first brand, whilst I was employed by a large company. 

I think applying myself in this way helped elevate me from some of the office politics and helped me get results quicker which benefited the company I was working for, and myself.

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too? 

I have to name Barbara Leatham who specialises in corporate and commercial photography. We worked with her in July for the first time and have to say that the way she directed, created and ran the whole experience of a professional photoshoot was incredible. 

What was really special was that it felt like she really knew and understood our business, style and character. It wasn’t just about taking photos, it was about helping us tell a story and relay messages through images.

https://www.barbaraleatham.com

As we move further through the pandemic, how are you feeling about the future of business in general in August 2021? 

For our business I am feeling optimistic. It seems that organisations realise they need help in supporting their workforce through this transition back to a ‘different normal’ workplace and are reaching out and trusting consultancies like ours to help them. 

In general I feel that the future of business will continue being like a rollercoaster for a while until the pandemic gets under control. And I think the challenge that business will have is to manage these highs and lows commercially as well as emotionally.

And finally, August 16 was National Tell a Joke Day? Can you tell us a joke and raise a laugh?  

There was this baby polar bear who one day said to his Dad, “Dad, am I a polar bear?”

Daddy polar bear replies kindly, “Yes son, you’re a polar bear.” And he smiles, patting his son on the head.

A little while later baby polar bear asks, “Dad?”

“Yes, son.”

“Am I really a polar bear?”

Replying assertively Daddy polar says , “Yes son, you’re a polar bear.”

Then a little bit later baby polar bear says, “Dad?”

“Yes son.” Daddy polar bear replies slightly frustrated.

“Are you sure I’m a polar bear?”

This time Daddy polar bear replies in exasperation, “YES! You’re a polar bear!! Why?”

Baby polar bear replies, “Because I’m freezing!”  

Had to share that because this summer hasn’t always seemed like summer and because I am freezing most of the time! 

For more information visit www.inspireyourgenius.com