This is a 2-part guest blog by Chris Jones for Energise – The Talent Liberation Company about his portfolio career. This is part 2.
Biog
Chris Jones is a multiple business owner based in Oxford. His current businesses are:
- Glooo: digital analytics
- Boys and Girls Promotions: events staffing business
- Boys and Girls Events: events management business
- Oxford Influencers: Oxford Instagram solution
His events business, both Corporate and Private events, provide event design and staff in #Oxfordshire and #London. Clients include: The University of Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Soho Farmhouse, Oxford City Council, The Westgate Shopping Centre and many colleges and venues.
Chris is husband to Julie, father of 2 young adults finishing University, and a social butterfly.
Read part 1:https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/chris-jones-guest-blog-about-his-portfolio-career-part-1/
The rest of this guest blog is in Chris’ own words.
What do you most love about having a portfolio career?
My portfolio career and the whole digital world growth happened at the same time.
I.T. developed off the back of IBM and Microsoft delivering personal computing solutions and from 1983 web sites developed at a rapid rate.
It was very interesting being at the forefront of PC / website delivery in the UK.
What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?
The continued changes and improvements to the digital world, so it is always been a learning curve of new technologies and solutions.
My ‘skill’ for want of a better word is that I’m very good at understanding technology and seeing where it can be implemented.
Who or what helps you to manage your portfolio career?
I think it’s a ‘self-improvement’ journey, either in a broad format for your whole industry or specialisation in specific areas.
How do you approach marketing your portfolio career?
It always will be for me working in the digital world (although a marketing mix is important) first and foremost and then backed up with networking. I network 2 3 evenings per week. LinkedIn is our key social media platform for my businesses.
Image below: Boys and Girls Promotions doing the ticketing for Countryfile Live at Blenheim – one of our greatest achievements in winning the work and delivering on the 3 days of the event.
What if any, is the personal brand used for your portfolio career?
Have fun, be professional, and deliver on promises. That’s it!
I won’t work with people who are going to be difficult (don’t tell the bank manager!) and I need to enjoy and be inspired by my work.
What advice would you give to someone considering a portfolio career?
“The journey is long, don’t worry about things you can’t control.“
What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?
1 Gain in-depth knowledge of your sector
2 Have an individual career plan a), b) and c)
3 Work with likeminded people, and be easy to work with
4 Always trust your ‘gut’
5 Value yourself and don’t compromise
More
View Chris Jones LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jones-8a88b05a/
Browse the Boys and girls promotions web site: https://www.boysandgirlspromotions.co.uk/
Want to discuss a future face to face event? E mail Chris Jones: chris@boysandgirlspromotions.co.uk
Interested in a portfolio career yourself? Contact us for your free report ‘Discover Portfolio Careers’: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/
Thanks to Chris Jones for making the time to write a guest blog about his portfolio career for Energise. We are looking forward to his future original events, when the world returns to normal socialising and networking, post lock-down!
