Let’s Celebrate Local!

By Jan de Jonge, Wiltshire-based business psychologist who runs People Business Psychology Ltd. His key work is around assessment, assessment of people as individuals or as members of a group or as organisations and that assessment is either for the selection of internal or external staff or assessment for the purpose of development of the organisation, people or teams. He assesses people motivation and ability, their behavioural tendencies and personality traits. He works with individuals, SMEs, large businesses and he works locally, across the UK and overseas.

How are you feeling about your business? 

I’ve been lucky that since February I have been working on a large project and that has and is still taking up a lot of my time. I think it’s important that I stay resilient myself and that I seek opportunities that may seem hidden. On balance I want to be optimistic about my business and either find opportunities or make them myself. 

How are you feeling about business in general? 

In general I think the sector in which I work (talent and development) is huge and there is a lot of opportunity to modernise the industry that I work in and that is what I am working on at the moment. I am developing a new approach to talent assessment – measuring talent and doing it in a more efficient way and a more customer friendly way using a modern IT approach – with technology based tools.

Tell us how you now apply this phrase to your business and/or life ‘buy local supply local’. 

If I need stationery I go to Quality Stationers and Printers in Marlborough and they sell the paper and pens that I buy from them instead of going online.

There is a leather shop called Leathercraft of Marlborough where I buy my pencil cases and bags for work. 

I also have a local accountant that I use – Charlton Baker Limited in Devizes. I try to consciously support local businesses. 

We also support a local charity called Business Against Poverty as part of the community People Against Poverty. It's a charity which tries to improve the lives of children in third world countries and with projects in the UK as well.

What has changed for you positively as a result of lockdown? 

The realisation of how good we had it when life was still a bit more normal, the things we could access, the things we had. It also shows us the value of our environment and that we really must hurry up looking after our planet.

Covid19 also reemphasises that we need to address the inequality of the way things are in our own country when it comes to poverty and the treatment of people. 

We can now actively address these very real challenges and express our opinions to ensure things are at the forefront.

Tell us what makes a ‘good’ local business. 

A local business becomes good or successful when it is able to deliver such a high level of customer service that it is sustained by that very fact.

A good local business needs to ensure they’re noticeable and deliver high level marketing to boost recognisability. 

Any local business needs to have its ethics in the right place. It needs to do what is right: be polite and friendly, pay their taxes and have a clean and welcoming premises.

Can you name a local independent business which you support around food & drink? 

A small café that also sells little objects like cheeseboards and trinkets calls Sticks and Stones in Woodborough and they make lovely coffees and lunches and you can have meetings there. It’s a small business run by a husband and wife who make homemade cakes for people and you can buy small things as well. 

http://www.uksticksandstones.com

Can you name a local independent business which you support around health, wellbeing or fitness? 

There is a fitness studio in Pewsey called Sui Generis run by someone called James Tilley. I like his fitness classes, he sometimes does bootcamps outside and I like to support him when I can. 

Can you shout out to a local client you wish to celebrate? 

A digital marketing agency based in Swindon called “Digital Marketing Specialist” https://www.digitalmarketingspecialist.com/

Can you shout out to people who have really had your back in business over recent months? 

Anita Jaynes of The Business Exchange has been great and contacts me for quotes on topics she is writing about and has been supporting me since 2013 - https://www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk

Denise O’Leary from Purpol Marketing is a great business friend who has supported me and I have contributed to her recent book where she interviewed me on the psychology of winning business - https://purpolmarketing.co.uk

Can you name one person in your life who has really helped you during this time? 

My partner Debbie who has been like a sounding board for me in terms of life choices and in regards to the strategy of the business.

What are your business plans for Q4? 

The plan is to deliver on projects which I am starting soon around development and to continue developing and launching an online leadership assessment and development questionnaire. We're developing this with the help of several universities. 

Any special offers you’d like to mention? 

People who are interested in being involved in the launch of the tool and anyone interested in learning further in their leadership style can email me to be involved in that development (see website link above)

And finally: 

I think local businesses are often the backbone of the local community and for that reason it is important for people to continue to support this meaningful part of the community.

For those in small businesses – don’t give up, be creative in adapting to new situations.

For further information https://www.peoplebusinesspsychology.com