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Christina Blacklaws’ guest blog about her portfolio career part 1

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This is a 2-part blog for Energise – The Talent Liberation Company by Christina Blacklaws. This is part 1.

Biog

Christina studied Jurisprudence at Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in 1991.  She now runs her own consultancy business advising domestic and international law firms and legal businesses, speaking globally and holding a number of non-executive directorships. She holds a range of public appointments including chairing both the LawTech Delivery Panel for the Ministry of Justice and Innovate UK’s Next Generation Services Advisory Board and sits on the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Support Advisory Group. She is an advisory board member for Elevate, 20-First and Thompson Reuter’s Women in Leadership in Law programme.

Christina is the Simon Professional and Industrial Fellow at the Alliance Manchester Business School. Christina was President of the Law Society of England and Wales until July 2019 and continues to represent the Women Lawyers Division on Council and the UK on the International Bar Association Council.

She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, technology and access to justice and uses every opportunity to advocate and progress positive change in these areas. Christina is a multi-award-winning published author, lecturer and frequent media commentator.

The rest of this guest blog is in Christina’s own words.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.?

I have a wide variety of roles, many voluntary, including a lot of engagement with universities, speaking at events, my Law Society and government roles.

My paid roles include 4 non-executive directorships with 3 law firms and one LawTech business. In addition, I undertake paid speaking events globally and provide ad hoc advice and training to law firms and legal businesses around the world.

How did your portfolio career come about?

When I finished as President of the Law Society in July 2019, I decided I wanted to maintain my independence and the wonderful variety of different things I had become involved in, during my presidency, so a portfolio career seemed an obvious choice!

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?

Lots of different things! I am a NED, chair, speaker, campaigner and thinker.

To what extent did your portfolio career happen by chance/luck and to what extent was it planned?

It’s rare, in my experience, to know when your job will finish from the moment you start it (the presidency of the Law Society is for 1 year), and this was the case with the Law Society. It gave me plenty of opportunity and time to think about what I wanted to do next, so I did plan the shape of my current career.

Having said that, I am fortunate in that interesting and unsought opportunities come my way on a regular basis so there is also a good degree of ‘happenstance’.

Watch out for part 2 of Christina Blacklaws’ guest blog about her portfolio career, including 5 tips for aspiring portfolio careerists.

More

Christina’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinablacklaws/

Our book for the Law Society ‘Career management for lawyers. Practical strategies to plan your next chapter’ is available now in the on-line book shop: https://bookshop.lawsociety.org.uk/p/career-management-for-lawyers-practi-paperback/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself?

E mail us to arrange your free 20-minute consultation about whether a portfolio career is right for you: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/

Sian O’Neill’s guest blog about her portfolio career part 1

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Biog

I like books and was given the opportunity to set up a new books division, Globe Law and Business, in 2005 where we set out to create law books which are sufficiently high level to be of real use to the experienced professional, yet still accessible. In 2015, I was part of a management buyout/buy-in of the books division when Globe Law and Business was sold to a management team including me. I believe that there is a future in high quality, lovingly produced books with the utmost attention paid to the editorial, design and production processes. For authors, I aim to offer a professional service, with a personal touch – for you to enjoy the experience of being published and bringing your works to the global market. Outside of publishing, I am a British Wheel of Yoga accredited yoga teacher. I teach a hatha flow class, incorporating breath awareness, attention to alignment and mindful flow. In today’s ever-connected, super-stressed world, yoga offers a way to de-stress, to relax and clear the mind. I also write and have also edited two books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers: ‘Yoga Teaching Handbook’ and the new ‘Yoga Student Handbook’.

How did your portfolio career come about?

I think what is interesting is that I didn’t make a conscious decision to have a portfolio career. I had been in publishing a good few years when I first started to practise yoga. I became more interested in what this thing called yoga actually is and embarked on the first course, the British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course. From there, there was no turning back and I started the yoga teacher training! I qualified around seven years ago and have continued my learning through regular workshops and further trainings. I continue to have a full-time and busy role as MD of an independent publisher, so at the moment, I teach the one weekly corporate class and regular covers which are easier to fit in when I am available and seasonal workshops. I am also a mentor (contact teacher) on a yoga teacher training.

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?

It is a good question as it can be tempting to have one main reply so as not to complicate things for the listener! But I do now generally say ‘publisher and yoga teacher’.

What do you most love about having a portfolio career?

The phrase ‘a change is as good as a break’ comes to mind here as I find both aspects of my professional life benefit the other. One thing that has surprised me has been the degree to which the yoga activities have benefited the day job- including eg finding your voice and holding a room which I have certainly taken in to meetings in professional settings. I have really enjoyed combining yoga and publishing in editing the two books with Singing Dragon (part of Jessica Kingsley Publishers) – it feels a privilege and energising. I think that separate, serious interests help in a number of ways including expanding the mind and eg helping you to see connections which you might not have previously.

What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?

I think you need to be really organised. There are times when I feel pulled in different directions. But I know both aspects are important to me. I think you do need to be careful regarding what you accept to make sure you have room for everything and literally have the time. I heard a piece of advice today from a project management expert, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, that you should give something up when you take on something new. I think that is an interesting concept. I have been guilty of just accepting something new and squeezing it in somewhere such as in evenings and weekends (although I actually rather like evening working!).

More

View Sian’s LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-o-neill-0b3567a/

Browse Sian’s yoga web site http:// https://www.yogawithsian.co.uk/

Browse the Globe Law and Business web site https://www.globelawandbusiness.com/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself? Get in touch https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/

Comfortable self-marketing for women

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Most women dislike ‘blowing their own trumpet’ (marketing themselves)

This is normal.

How you feel is typical for women.

BUT #balanceforbetter, the theme of 2019 International Women’s month, will not happen until women feel more comfortable and competent ‘blowing their own trumpet’.

Many women simply don’t ask for what they really want.

Why is ‘blowing your own trumpet’ important?

This subject is really really important because:

•Women live longer on average than men

•Lifespans are increasing so the issue is becoming more significant

•Many women take time off the career ladder, magnifying the effect

•Women naturally worry and focus on others at the expense of themselves

Women stop their own success by NOT ‘blowing their own trumpet’.

Don’t hide your talents away!

What crafty ways do you use to AVOID ‘blowing your own trumpet’?!

Common methods women use to avoid ‘blowing their own trumpet’

•‘Oh it was nothing really’

•‘Just part of the job’

•‘You’ not ‘me’

•‘We’ not ‘I’

•‘Anyone would have done the same’

•Bad hair day

•Focusing on others

•Assuming their hard work will be noticed

•Working harder

•Keeping busy

•Displacement/distraction techniques

Insights about women

I have done many events on this topic – these are observations having heard women talk about this subject.

•Women generally worry and are anxious, lacking in confidence

•Women fear rejection

•Women lawyers worry even more than an average woman, because their job is to spot risks!

•Women alleviate worry by focusing on others

•Women do a higher than average proportion of household management and childcare/caring responsibilities, so they have less time to market themselves, especially if they work part time 

•Women focus on doing the work and doing it we

•Women find marketing themselves uncomfortable, so avoid it

•Women are still in the minority of senior decision making positions

•Women lack sponsors

•Women are not men. They think differently.  Yet differences between men and women are not acknowledged to avoid stereotypes.

4 useful practical tips to make blowing your own trumpet more comfortable

•Tip 1) Give an example i.e. evidence to back it up e.g. I am really good at x because the client said y

•Tip 2) ‘Blow your own trumpet’ indirectly – it feels more comfortable for women e.g. write an article

•Tip 3) Think of the benefits of ‘blowing your own trumpet’ to others e.g. being a good role model for your daughter or niece

•Tip 4) Find 1 way that does feel comfortable and do it more e.g. if you like networking, do more of it

We’ll be exploring these 4 tips in more depth in future blogs.

You CAN become more comfortable ‘blowing your own trumpet’, I promise.

How can we help you ‘Blow your own trumpet’ to achieve a career breakthrough?

Get in touch for a free 20 minute telephone consultation: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/

Lorna Turner‘s guest blog about her portfolio career. Creating your future part 2

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This is part 2 of a 2 part guest blog for Energise – The Talent Liberation Company.

Lorna Turner biog

I have over 20 years’ experience in business development, initially in the private sector, before moving on more recently to working primarily with social enterprises and ethical businesses. I am a co-owner of two businesses; The Fruit Tree for Business LLP and Court House Care Services (Devon) Ltd. The Fruit Tree for Business is a partnership with Debbie Stewart. We provide business advice, training and consultancy services. We have both set up and run various businesses in the past 15 years. This hands-on real experience is of tremendous value to our clients. We offer one to one business advice sessions, a range of training courses including some of the more complex topics of legal structures and governance for social enterprises and co-operatives, as well as the introductory guide to starting a business and consultancy services such as developing business plans for community buildings, options, appraisals and associated funding applications. My other business is a Residential Care Home. I am a co-director of Court House Care Services (Devon) Ltd with my partner, Marcus Lyward. His background is in the Care Sector and along with my business skills, plus a great manager and some fabulous staff, we have a growing social business. Consequently, I now have in depth knowledge of the Care sector and am learning more every day.

Read part 1 of Lorna Turner’s guest blog about her portfolio career:

Fast forward 20 years, and I have two businesses; I own a residential care home supporting the elderly with dementia with my partner who has a background of 30+ years in the care sector and I run a business advice and consultancy company for the not-for-profit sector – The Fruit Tree for Business. My time is split across the two and they complement each other well. I have a specialist knowledge within the care world which is a market that is growing and one where the social enterprises and voluntary sector are being encouraged to develop innovative community-led models of care.

What do you love about your portfolio career?

I feel very fortunate to love what I do. Discovering the world of social enterprise, social businesses and co-operatives was a light bulb moment and it still gives me enormous satisfaction. They offer alternative business models which in my view are a vital part of a local and global economy and part of building a sustainable and better future for all.

How has coaching helped you?

Through my journey, there have been times where coaching has been vital. It’s been my critical friend, my ally and my sounding board. Rachel is truly gifted in her field. I think coaching is both art and science of which she has an abundant understanding of both.

5 tips for people considering a portfolio career

1 Understand your strengths and weaknesses (what can you offer that’s unique) and identify areas of interest

2 Research those areas of interest and assess whether they are right for you as part of your career or whether they need to stay as interests and hobbies

3 Be clear about your financial position – and have a plan to develop your portfolio career without stressing the finances e.g. what could you do part-time, evenings or weekends?

4 Have or build confidence to talk to others, network, use social media in your career options

5 Write down your plan and be accountable to someone who can give impartial advice (most family and friends tend to be naturally positive). In my experience, the process of writing helps the brain assess our thoughts and ideas. Don’t worry, plans can always develop over time – they aren’t set in stone.

More

If you are interested in setting up a social enterprise but not sure where to start, contact lorna@the-fruit-tree.co.uk

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself? Download your copy of our free report Discover Portfolio Careers:

View the Fruit Tree web site:

http://the-fruit-tree.co.uk/about-us/

Current Heritage Lottery Funded community project in Newton Abbot:

View The Court House Care web site:

Twitter: @Courthousecare

Stuart McHale’s guest blog about his portfolio career

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Mini biog

I am a business consultant, advisor and NED with ambitious and growing businesses. Over 35 years I have managed growth in excess of £160m organically and through acquisitions; business start-ups including franchising and internet trading; and business restructuring including disposals. My early career was marketing products and customer development, progressing into strategy and planning. I gained experience in procurement, supplier partnerships and supply chain management along the way. I moved into general management with my first acquisition of a multi-site distribution business and then was Managing Director of a multi-site manufacturing and distribution business. I have broad sector and market experience working in automotive, rail, leasing, capital equipment, technology and consumer goods.  Geographic experience includes several European markets, North America, Asia (including India, Japan, Korea) and Australia.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.?

Currently I am a director and shareholder in three businesses and provide consulting services to two further businesses. I have recently started volunteering with Young-Enterprise as a business advisor.

How did your portfolio career come about?

In 2011 I completed a significant business disposal resulting in an opportunity to evaluate what career challenge I wanted to embrace next.  At the time due to family circumstances, I decided to pursue a portfolio career.  This enabled me to reduce my working hours and gave me significant flexibility around my work.

How has your portfolio career changed over time?

Since 2012 I have seen a consistent flow of challenges from clients all seeking help to overcome hurdles that they found difficult (in some cases impossible) without assistance.

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?

“Less than I use to” but still helping business owners and leaders to overcome challenges and solve problems.

To what extent did your portfolio career happen by chance/luck and to what extent was it planned?

My switch to a portfolio career was not planned. It was the response to family circumstances which were outside of my control.

What do you most love about having a portfolio career?

The aspects of a portfolio career that I enjoy most are the variety of challenges, the flexibility in terms of time management and being able to spend a lot more time working from home.

What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?

A portfolio career can bring some uncertainty in terms of regular income. Working with typically five businesses at a time, it does require the need for a discipline of time management and of being focussed.

Who or what helps you to manage your portfolio career?

Self-discipline.

How do you approach marketing your portfolio career?

I am fortunate in that I spend little time marketing myself.  The engagements I get come from referrals, people I know and have worked with or worked for and who know what I can do and how I do it.  Staying in touch with a network of colleagues is important so that they are aware I am still active and occasionally available.

What if any, is the personal brand used for your portfolio career?

I work with a group of consultants at HEART of business and this alongside my own name are the “brands” I have become known by.

What advice would you give to someone considering a portfolio career?

Careful planning is required for those considering a portfolio career and ensuring that it provides remuneration from the early stages, or they have a financial cushion in place to enable it to have time to grow. Also planning the services you will provide and to whom, working capital requirements, collaboration with trusted associates and how you will manage taking on the running of a business yourself.  Ideally find a mentor or coach or a supportive group who can help you.

What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?

1       It is not for everyone, do an honest assessment of your skills and capabilities and of your strengths and weaknesses.

2       Make a plan.  You will be running a business.

3       Be clear how you are going to win business, doing what and for whom.

4       Know how you will make yourself distinctive and able to compete.

5       Collaborate, build (or join) a team you can trust.

More

View Stuart McHale’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-mchale/

Browse the No Limits Creative web site:

https://www.nolimitscreative.co.uk/

Read about the Heart of Business (HOB) network:

https://heart-of-business.co.uk/

Visit the Partner in Business web site:

http://www.partner-in-business.co.uk/

Interested in creating your own portfolio career? E mail Energise to arrange your free 20-minute telephone consultation:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/

Ashley Cavers guest blog about her portfolio career part 1

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Ashley Cavers mini biog

Ashley has a background in print and broadcast media, and has worked for both the BBC and Sky TV, with more recent experience in corporate communications and enterprise networks. For the last eight years, she has worked freelance for The Sunday Times Fast Track, meeting the entrepreneurs behind some of the UK’s most successful private businesses. She also has direct experience of starting and running her own businesses, having previously run a PR and events firm as well as a retail business, which she successfully sold. Earlier this year, she took up a role as Lead Network Navigator with Oxlep Business, helping to support start-up and growth companies across Oxfordshire.  Ashley experienced OxLEP Business’s support first-hand, after co-founding The Wonky Food Company in 2017. The company makes relishes out of imperfect fruit and veg and started selling in The Midcounties Co-op this summer. Earlier this month, The Wonky Food Company was included in the 2018 list of Game Changers in the Thames Valley region.

How did your portfolio career come about?

I never consciously set about to have a portfolio career (in fact, I hadn’t even heard of the phrase ‘portfolio career’ until fairly recently!). My career started off fairly conventionally, working in staff roles for the BBC and then for Sky Television during my twenties. But when I turned 30, and recently married, my husband and I had the opportunity to move to West Cork in Ireland, a place where we had frequently holidayed and had always loved. I was feeling a bit disillusioned and burned out, doing some serious commuting and working long hours in an industry that I found increasingly at odds with my values and interests.

I guess I had an early mid-life crisis of sorts, so when a job opportunity came up for my husband in Ireland, I jumped at the chance for a fresh start! I continued to freelance for Sky but found myself increasingly involved in an active local community (at one point I ended up managing the local bookshop!). After volunteering to do the PR for an inaugural local arts festival (a festival which more than a decade later is now one of the biggest in Ireland!), a number of local groups and businesses started to approach me to do their PR, so I started my own consultancy.

At the same time, the stint at the bookshop had given me a taste for retail and spotting a gap in the market for good quality stationery (I had always been a paper junkie!), I opened my own upmarket stationery and gift store. This was at the height of the economic boom in Ireland, and the business did well. I was considering opening a second site, with ambitions for a national chain of high street stores, when the financial crash came. Overnight, the economy in Ireland collapsed. Although I managed to sell the business, this turn in events combined with starting a family, prompted a return to the UK.

I realised on my return that my experience in Ireland had completely changed my attitude to work. I had proved that I could successfully combine a number of separate career interests, and returning to a 9-5 job now seemed inconceivable to me. I took a bit of time out to have my second child and settle back into life in the UK after a six-year absence. Being the height of the recession, there also weren’t too many opportunities to choose from. But I soon started freelancing for The Sunday Times Fast Track, which for me, combined the two recurring threads of my career: journalism and entrepreneurship. I’ve now been back for 10 years, have started two other businesses and have never been busier!

What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?

1  Be organised!

2  Develop a good professional network – you never know where the next opportunity will come from.

3  Don’t be afraid to change direction or drop a part of your portfolio that isn’t working. Take time to regularly evaluate where you are.

4  Have a good support system – I couldn’t do without my cleaner, accountant and family (not necessarily in that order!)

5 Self-belief is essential, but accept that moments of self-doubt are inevitable.

More

View Ashley Cavers LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-cavers-68613534/

Browse The Wonky Food Company web site:

https://www.wonkyfoodco.com/

Browse The Wonky Food Company web site:

https://www.wonkyfoodco.com/

Follow The Wonky Food Company on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/wonkyfoodco

Browse the OxLEP Oxfordshire web site:

https://www.oxfordshirelep.com/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself? Download your copy of our free Skills report to find out what your transferable skills are:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/what-is-a-portfolio-career/

 

Doug Glenwright’s guest blog about his portfolio career part 2

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Doug Glenwright mini biog

Innovative Customer Centric Propositions. Multiple award-winning leader with 20 years’ transformation experience across retail and leisure. Passionate about customers and transforming tangible experiences by developing a strategic vision and delivering it holistically and with integrity. Visionary, vivacious and versatile with strong communication skills and creative flair, balancing commercial and customer needs whilst engaging people with a sense of fun.

To read part 1 of Doug Glenwright’s guest blog about his portfolio career, click on this link:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/doug-glenwrights-guest-blog-about-his-portfolio-career-part-1/

What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?

Juggling projects with competing deadlines is always a challenge, especially when they are on different continents, however the businesses I work with know that whilst I do my best to be flexible, that sometimes my schedule cannot be moved. This is really just about clear communication and prioritisation. Secondly for me, it has been difficult adjusting to a more independent life – working more from home (and lacking the social aspects of an office), not being able to manage or control the politics to get the “right” decision and lastly (and most problematic to me) letting go of projects when businesses no longer need external support…as a “completer/ finisher” this is a key frustration, but is also (I believe) a reason that I get commissioned. I am passionate about the project and doing the right thing!

Who or what helps you to manage your portfolio career?

I don’t know how to answer this – I feel like I am only in the early days of my portfolio career and that there is still a lot to learn. I try to take each day as it comes and mitigate risks and potential gaps in employment by planning both short and long term. I never say never – which means I am not fixated on my portfolio career and there could be a time when a permanent role is worth considering, but I also believe that for what I do more companies should be looking for a temporary resource, so this is definitely a conversation worth having even if they are advertising a permanent position.

How do you approach marketing your portfolio career?

It can feel a little awkward “marketing” yourself, so for me I try to put “catch ups” in the diaries of influential people I know or am known to in businesses which I am keen to work with to understand what is going on in their business and remind them I am around and available if that is helpful. Up to this point, this has been sufficient from a marketing perspective, but I am sure my approach will develop over time.

What if any, is the personal brand used for your portfolio career?

My personal brand focuses on my strengths and values as well as highlighting my key achievements. All “reasons to believe” and, I hope, reasons to hire me!

What skills/experience/qualities does someone need to have a portfolio career?

I think there is a need to be well connected, with a clear understanding of what you can offer and reasons why a business should use you and not someone else. For me a lot of this has been done through contacts who know me and were confident recommending me when suitable projects were discussed. Within this confidence and a sense of worth are also clearly important.

What advice would you give to someone considering a portfolio career?

For me the most important thing was to be able to safely trial and ease myself into a portfolio career – in my case I first considered it a “stop-gap” until I found my next permanent role (it might still be!), but it was a time when I had sufficient resources to take some time off and experiment with different types of work. For me I was then able to make proactive decisions comparing and contrasting my portfolio work with other full-time opportunities I was offered and to this point the portfolio has always won!

What are your top 5 tips to successfully manage a portfolio career?

  1. Know your market
  2. Manage your network
  3. Define your offer (personal brand and USPs)
  4. Know your value
  5. Deliver your best

More

View Doug Glenwright’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-glenwright-18a2234/

Browse Doug Glenwright’s web site:

http://www.dougglenwright.com/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself?

Download your copy of our free report Discover Portfolio Careers:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/who-has-portfolio-careers/

 

 

 

 

Doug Glenwright’s guest blog about his portfolio career part 1

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Doug Glenwright mini biog

Innovative Customer Centric Propositions. Multiple award-winning leader with 20 years’ transformation experience across retail and leisure. Passionate about customers and transforming tangible experiences by developing a strategic vision and delivering it holistically and with integrity. Visionary, vivacious and versatile with strong communication skills and creative flair, balancing commercial and customer needs whilst engaging people with a sense of fun.

What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.)?

Paid freelance work (plus a little dabbling in creative art)

How did your portfolio career come about?

I was very lucky to be offered redundancy following the relocation of my office after 14 years in a corporate role. After so long in one business,  this was a scary prospect and I was fortunate to be offered a seconded role which allowed me to test my new commute (and ultimately prove I didn’t want to be spending so much “wasted” time in the car) and allowed me to prepare myself for a significant change, by working with Rachel Brushfield as a coach to understand more about the value I bring to a role and what I was looking for at the time of change. I did not seek out a portfolio career and was perhaps even a little resistant to it – this felt so different from the structure and (perceived) control of a regular career – however I tried to remain open to it as one of a number of possibilities. After a month or so off, I started talking to contacts and was approached to be an SME for a top consultancy firm as they developed the strategy for a Middle Eastern travel company; there was no contract, there was no job description and ultimately there was no risk, it was 2 to 3 days a week, which still left me time to apply for other roles, so I agreed… To an extent, I do believe we make our own luck, however I was fortunate to know of some big projects coming up in various businesses and was therefore able to position myself well to be of assistance.

How has your portfolio career changed over time?

During this initial assignment I was still actively applying for permanent roles, going to interviews and even got offered a few positions, but each time I compared them to what I was currently doing and proactively chose the instability, flexibility and variety of a potential portfolio career – however it cannot be a portfolio with one role, right? So I started reaching out to other contacts to understand if there were things I could help with. Mostly this led to nothing, which can be disheartening, but I reassured myself that it did remind people I was here and available and hopefully keeping me front of mind – a good marketing strategy; I picked up some piecemeal jobs and learnt more about my processes, what I enjoy, what I actively need to avoid and I started juggling larger projects.

When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ what do you reply?

Knowing what to call yourself is one of the challenges I have faced since I stopped working in a full time corporate career – we are all capable of much more than our job titles give us credit for, then there is what we are known or famous for and then there is what role you are being asked to play within each assignment…whilst you want to be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of any assignment, it is still important to have a clear sense of self, what your unique selling points are and what you can personally deliver for that role. At a high level when describing my role, I tend to use the term “Customer Centric Contractor” but this is a really grey area with many different disciplines focusing on customer experience, so this still doesn’t feel that ownable, but I explain this as “delivering strategic propositions and holistic transformation whilst balancing both customer and commercial needs”.

What do you most love about having a portfolio career?

I love getting the 3+ hours back in my day when I was previously commuting and using this time for something constructive – exercise, art or even chores. That said, I do still feel guilty when I take off time in the middle of the day to enjoy a sunny walk… it’s interesting how ingrained the corporate structure has been in my life!

Coming soon, part 2 of Doug Glenwright’s guest blog about his portfolio career.

More

View Doug Glenwright’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-glenwright-18a2234/

Browse Doug Glenwright’s web site:

http://www.dougglenwright.com/

Interested in a portfolio career for yourself?

Download your copy of our free report ‘Discover Portfolio Careers’:

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/who-has-portfolio-careers/

 

Viv Groskop guest blog about her portfolio career

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Viv Groskop is a writer, stand-up comedian and TV and radio presenter. She has guest-presented BBC Radio 4’s Front Row and Saturday Review and appears regularly on BBC1’s This Week.

As a prolific freelance interviewer and columnist, she has written for most of the British newspapers for the past 20 years, contributing most frequently to The Guardian and the Observer. She is the veteran of four sold-out one-woman Edinburgh Fringe shows. Her latest show Vivalicious celebrated therapy and the world of self-help and imagined a world where Oprah Winfrey is President.

Her latest book How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Public Speaking (Transworld) is about women, confidence and public speaking. She also works as an executive performance coach for groups and individuals, specialising in women and leadership.

What headline sums up 2018 for you?

The phrase Oprah used when she gave her speech at the Golden Globes for her Lifetime Achievement Awards: “Time’s up.”

This year it has felt like time is up on a lot of things: women not being heard and believed, women not being prominent in public spaces, women not taking up more space on FTSE 100 boards… And this debate is spilling out away from gender equality towards equality and diversity in general. Hurrah! When I’m doing stand-up, there’s a real hunger for people who can find the humour in all this. (Not bloody easy.) And when I’m doing corporate work as a performance coach, there is a sense of urgency from people — especially women – who want to find their voice and get better at speaking. Everyone is realising how important it is to be public-facing now, both for video content online and for events, large and small.

What has changed in the last 12 months?

I’ve leaned harder than usual into the usual chaotic but rewarding mix of a portfolio career: writing (two book deals this year),  my own shows (Vivalicious at Underbelly at Edinburgh Fringe this summer) and helping other women find their voice (working with corporate groups and individuals).

Best moments? Hearing that a woman I coached got the role she wanted at first interview after a long period of job uncertainty. Finding out that another client who was absolutely petrified of speaking had given a speech in front of 300 people at her grandfather’s 70th birthday party. And having Sarah Brown come to my Edinburgh Fringe show and tweet about it to her 1 million followers.

How did any change come about?

I let go of the self-doubt and anxiety I had around a couple of book ideas I was aching to write, got my act together, pitched them and they sold. I think this happened partly because I suddenly feel old lately (I’m in my mid forties) and something in me just said, “Come on. Put it out there. So what if it gets rejected?”

What is the significance of this change for you?

Huge and tiny at the same time. Huge because I proved to myself that I’ve been sitting on really good ideas because I want to get them “just right” — and that moment never comes. Done is more important than perfect. Tiny because this isn’t a mental shift that is easy to hang onto. Sure, it makes a difference if your fear is proved wrong. But it soon floods back. So you just have to keep working on it.

What next for you in 2019?

A live version of the book How To Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking (published 1 November 2018) will be touring in Spring 2018 when the paperback is out. And I’ll be finishing writing Au Revoir, Tristesse: Life Lessons in French Literature, which is due out at the end of 2019. I’m also planning a series of workshops and retreats for groups of women who want to achieve their potential in public speaking and own the room!

More 

‘How to own the room. Women and the art of brilliant speaking’ by Viv Groskop. Published 1 November 2018:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Own-Room-Brilliant-Speaking/dp/1787631125/ref=sr_1_1_twi_har_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538408943&sr=8-1&keywords=viv+groskop

View Viv Groskop’s LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/viv-groskop-9798b711/

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https://twitter.com/VivGroskop

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