Distinctive Dispatch #16: A dose of optimism in an election-free zone
Reasons to be cheerful; supporting East Devon’s young people; how to avoid greenwashing; thoughts on ghosting; how people access digital news..
Better comms for people, places and work
This newsletter lands as we continue to watch the election results roll in. It’s been a long campaign, coming hot on the heels of the local elections. Commentary is widespread and free-flowing, and there’s much to absorb. You might expect some comment from us here today. But we’ve made this an (almost) election-free zone and share a dose of optimism with you instead. Happy Friday!
Three reasons why we’re optimistic
We know the last few years have been challenging for people and businesses, for many different reasons.
Those challenges remain after today. But in focusing on what needs fixing, we can sometimes overlook the brilliant things happening around us every day.
Imaginative, impactful, innovative, and inspiring. Here are some reasons we have for optimism and confidence in facing whatever lies ahead.
Celebrating South West business success - Arianne Smart
Despite recent challenges, many businesses have shown remarkable resilience. In the South West, Bristol and Gloucester are ranked among the best UK locations for AI enterprises. Bristol, where Distinctive is headquartered, ranks second. Gloucester, home to the urban regeneration project The Forum, is seventh. And I’m pleased to see my home city of Exeter topping the list for business survival rates.
This is echoed amongst sectors more widely, with the FSB reporting business confidence rising in the region. Levels are now at +7%, up from -37% in the last quarter. Additionally, 68% of businesses have increased salaries, and 48% expect growth in the next 12 months.
Closer to home, we’re proud to support our clients’ success. Nine Feet Tall, a specialist change management consultancy, was named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, and its CEO Esther McMorris was honoured in Management Today's inaugural Women in Leadership Power List. Congratulations! We celebrate these achievements and look forward to continued growth and innovation in our region.
From bad to even better than before – Jasmine Gordon
I think we’ve all seen a real shift in the past few months; from a sense of stagnation and dejected resignation (perhaps since COVID) to a real refresh of hope.
I may be coming back with the post-Glasto glow for humanity, but I see this from across the Bristol business and organisation landscape too.
Underfall Yard is recovering from a devastating fire, but they are re-building to modern standards, with a firm stance of being the heart of the harbour for many years to come.
Ben and I head off to the Community of Purpose Bristol Young Heroes Awards tonight, celebrating some unbelievably brave and kind individuals. Many have not had the easiest start in life, for different reasons. But they aren’t just surviving, they are thriving. And improving the lives of others, too. What a hope for Bristol’s adult generation of the future!
Pointing the way ahead, purposefully – Ben Lowndes
Two things strike me about our conversations with clients and other businesses. Firstly, a widespread feeling that there must be a better way. It’s not always easy to define what that way is, but it cuts across how we live, work, learn, travel and consume stuff.
Secondly, there’s an equally big sense that we can’t just moan and wait for someone or something else to fix things. We need to be the change we want to see.
These change-makers inspire us. They feature in the fantastic work the team supports our clients with which Arianne and Jasmine’s comments highlight. They’re the driving force behind the South West’s support for clean growth, through projects like Gravity.
And it’s underpinned by the region’s engaged and active businesses. Groups like The Initiative, set up by Bristol businesses to shape a more inclusive city, championed this way of thinking more than 30 years ago - long before ESG appeared.
It’s a far cry from the fevered ‘culture war’ stories that take up so much national media space. This rhetoric slides further from the public views we engage with, at every level. I look forward to supporting Business West’s new advisory group to help the Initiative continue to make a positive impact.
Oh, and England are still in the Euros. Whatever happens next, let’s enjoy it while it lasts!
Can you lend a helping hand? New youth initiative launches in East Devon
The Den is a new youth café in Honiton, run for and led by the town’s young people. They are on the lookout for more volunteers, as well as support from local businesses.
Arianne spent some time supporting the community interest company following its launch last month, securing coverage in the local newspaper, on BBC Radio Devon and on BBC news online too. Get in touch if you could help!
Things we’ve seen
IKEA’s Bellingham lion: Never one to miss jumping on a trend, IKEA shared a brilliantly creative post in the wake of England’s Euros success last Sunday. It claimed they changed the name of their plush toy lion to Bellingham (and note the price - £94.34). Even as a non-football fan, I [Arianne] appreciated this one.
Things we’ve read
The art of gathering: how we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker: I [Jasmine] started reading this as I begin to plan my wedding next year, but I recommend it as a brilliant business read too. I’m sure we’ve all been in far too many meetings which failed to ignite interest or action. This book helps us to recognise these moments and suggests new ways of thinking to set up a gathering which leave participants fizzing with activity and excitement. And often, this means moving away from tired old traditional formats.
The book teaches you to reframe the way you approach meetings and gatherings – encouraging you to put their purpose at the heart of its set up. And for this, thinking specifically is key. As an example, is the networking event you’re going to next month to nurture existing business relationships, or is it to meet potential new clients?
From your 9am stand-up meeting to your annual results review – can you think more creatively about your meetings, and generate more quality connections and actions from them?
Reuters Digital News Report 2024: The annual report reveals fresh insights into news consumption. In the UK, interest in news has almost halved since 2015, with 38% saying they are ‘worn out’ by the amount on offer. Despite many newspapers now operating on a subscription model, only 8% subscribe to paid news content - among the lowest in the world. And video continues to rise, with two-thirds accessing a short news video at least once a week globally. This provides us with food for thought on messaging and channel selection when it comes to client work.
Do you need a chief AI officer? – Management Today: Have you considered whether your company needs a Chief AI Officer? While they start appearing in tech-focused start-ups and global corporations, for most of you reading this, the answer will be ‘no’. Or at least not yet. But you might want to consider your AI strategy. This article sets out which sectors may benefit most from a CAIO.
Things we’ve heard
Recipe for overcoming imposter syndrome: Imposter syndrome is something many of us experience in our working lives – up to 70% of people, according to the podcast. In this episode of Leadership Lessons by Management Today with Sally Bibb, Partner at PA Consulting, they talk about using your strengths intentionally, addressing your weaknesses that matter, and finding the right balance between the two. It’s a very frank conversation, that might help you to adjust how you look at your own strengths and competencies.
Things we’ve said
Bridging the sustainability communications gap: Less than 5% of consumers understand terms like ‘carbon neutral’, ‘carbon offsetting’ and ‘biodiversity’, according to research. With sustainability and being ‘green’ high on the agenda for many companies, it is vital that people understand your messages. We share some tips on communicating your efforts effectively and avoiding claims of ‘greenwashing’ that can come from over-egging them.
How should PR deal with pitch ghosting? – PRmoment: We love working with new businesses and relish the challenge of pulling together impactful, engaging proposals. But, on occasion, after days of hard work and creative thinking, you hear nothing from the prospective client. We're asking prospects to agree to timescales for responding before we work on a proposal. Ben shared his thoughts, alongside other professionals, with PRmoment.
What creative businesses want from the next government – Bristol Creative Industries: It’s almost an election free zone! We share our thoughts alongside Bristol’s other comms leaders on what we’d like to see from a new government, which takes up its responsibilities from today.
Some great perspectives here from an engine of inspiration and growth representing a sector employing thousands of people. Our thoughts: focus on the important things, do the hard yards, and don’t let easy headlines sway you.
Here’s hoping for better.
We take a break in August. See you on the other side, for a bumper update in September. Thanks to everyone who reads and comments on this newsletter. We welcome suggestions on what to cover, please get in touch