Monday 20 December 2010
Sunday 19 December 2010
Friday 17 December 2010
Summing it up. Money & Happiness. Thus weeks blog from MD@UKFast @Lawrence_Jones
http://bit.ly/f8RPJS
http://bit.ly/f8RPJS
Summing it up. Money & Happiness. Thus weeks blog from MD@UKFast @Lawrence_Jones
http://bit.ly/f8RPJS
http://bit.ly/f8RPJS
Sunday 12 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
How can mistakes be good? According to MD@UKFast they are essential.
http://bit.ly/hyCge2 @Lawrence_Jones
http://bit.ly/hyCge2 @Lawrence_Jones
Sunday 5 December 2010
Sunday 28 November 2010
Monday 22 November 2010
Lawrence_Jones@UKFast blogs about techniques to motivate you and your team harder. Top tip and so easy to use. http://bit.ly/b1vDXC
Lawrence_Jones@UKFast blogs about techniques to motivate you and your team harder. Top tip and so easy to use. http://bit.ly/b1vDXC
Sunday 21 November 2010
Saturday 20 November 2010
Monday 15 November 2010
Sunday 14 November 2010
Monday 8 November 2010
Honeymoon in Afghanistan. Learn how to avoid stress. Latest blog @Lawrence_Jones MD@UKFast http://bit.ly/dgHZle
Monday 1 November 2010
Dying to meet your goals? you might well be! Definitely worth reading before its too late....http://bit.ly/bKkIai
Thursday 28 October 2010
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Monday 25 October 2010
Lawrence_Jones, MD@UKFast blogs from Necker Island about energy saving ideas. Feeling Electric!
http://bit.ly/d1YRLu
http://bit.ly/d1YRLu
Sunday 24 October 2010
Feeling Electric! @lawrence_Jones@UKFast blogs from Necker about a new revelation http://bit.ly/d1YRLu
Feeling Electric! @Lawrence_Jones blogs from Necker Island about a new revelation.
http://bit.ly/d1YRLu
http://bit.ly/d1YRLu
Why is Necker so inspiring? Check out Richard Branson's moves on a kite surf. http://on.fb.me/9pGyyL @Lawrence_Jones @ukfast
Monday 18 October 2010
Insight into success @UKFast and how seriously we take recruitment, training & people development. http://bit.ly/8YJ1f0 @lawrencejones
See You At The Top
I remember at Ruthin School, we had an armory with hundreds of guns. Mainly World War II rifles, 303's Enfield rifles, but we had a number of Bren guns too, a lethal machine gun last used in the Falklands. I was considering the army as a career choice. Every Monday we'd dress in full army uniform for school. It was called CCF (Combined Cadet Force) and is connected to some of my fondest memories running and climbing in the mountains and crawling through the mud of SENTA, an area approximately 31,000 acres (12,000 ha) of Ministry of Defence freehold land in Sennybridge, Wales. It was on one of the firing ranges at 15 years old that it was explained to me that the Bren Gun was decommissioned because it was too accurate. When I asked "how can something be too accurate?" I was handed a much smaller, lighter weapon with a shorter barrel and asked, "see if you can hit the same target?"
I aimed and squeezed the trigger, it gently vibrated and as hard as I hugged it to keep it on target the thing had a mind of its own, it felt alive as if it were wriggling. " The bullets hit the target but they also hit everything else in a 10 ft spread.
The officer explained to me that "we don't necessarily want to kill our enemy. By wounding them, we clog up their battlefields and hospitals, slow them down and demoralise them."
I knew I had the makings of a great soldier, however the part of the army I loved involved was the outdoors, places like the Royal Artillery Adventure Training Centre at Capel Curig, a training camp near Betws-y-Coed. This where I learnt my love for the mountains. Where I'd spend weeks away from home from the age of 13 with Marines, Commandos and SAS. How can you not be influenced by these people. (Insanity + Fear + Focus = Massive results). They are extreme people with extreme levels of determination that seperate supermen from mortals.
I learnt a great deal from my experiences with the military. I suppose I was at that impressionable age too and growing up strong minded men who confronted everything in their path with thought and intensity, taught me the best way to obtain the best outcome in any situation.
You learn a great deal about yourself when the pressure mounts and you are taken out of your comfort zone. We revert to our core traits when put under pressure. Put under enormous pressure you see the very best and extreme worst of your character.
Even now I hunger for the mountains and it's back in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales I find myself at UKFast influencing another generation, playing the same outdoor events I did with the military.
My favorite is Cat & Mouse, where we drop off 2 teams with an identical set of coordinates from different points, the slower group are given the destination 5 miles away, and the fitter team start 2 miles lower down the mountain. Its phenomenal when you are being chased just how the adrenaline lifts your performance. When you are in the Cats team with a 7 mile run and steep ascent ahead, you really need to dig deep to motivate yourself and your team to reach the levels that ensures you catch your prey.
Our route for the Cats is particularly tough and its always tempting to cut across what looks like simple moorland. I've even been tempted on a couple of occasions and every time we have ended up to our chests in a bog. This makes the run ahead even more punishing, but you quickly learn who has a sense of humour.
I am reminded how Gail spotted my PA amongst a group of new recruits. Rachael was in a group with Gail my wife and I came over the hill by a disused slate mine whooping like Indians. You ask them how they felt when we caught them. At this stage under extreme pressure, their brains take the scenario as 100% real and for a split second the adrenaline floods through their veins when they realise they have been captured. I was told afterwards that Rachael had been in tears at this point, yet in-spite of the pain and uncertainty of just how much discomfort lies ahead, she carried on with tears rolling down her cheeks. She never gave up. This to me is commendable, she had passed through her personal pain barrier and showed true grit determination of the highest calibre.
Tears are not a weakness, if anything tears are a sign of strength. This is definitely the case with Rachael.
Why on earth do we do this? I can hear some of you say. It's a very good question. It's expensive to take colleagues out of work for days at a time and we have gone to extraordinary lengths going the extra mile with our own dedicated training centre in the Snowdonian National Park. What's the reason?
I believe you get to find out who are the people you want to work with straight away. In an interview process, people can come across as a superstar, people can talk a good game, yet when the real pressure mounts, they are nowhere to be found. You see the person for who they are, stripped bare of pretension.
I liken it to a snap shot of the person a year down the line when they are really settled in the office environment, when the honeymoon period is over. We have also learnt a great deal about what sort of person fits in to UKFast and what sort of personality traits are a fundamental necessity. So our Snowdon trip helps us match people perfectly.
Another reason to encourage people to get outdoors is the fact that individuals can withstand far more pressure when physically fit. There is is a significant connection between increased stamina and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
And when you boil this down, at UKFast we have a massive responsibility. We support huge numbers of businesses around the clock. I need naturally supportive people who, even when faced with the toughest challenges, see an opportunity or a clear path ahead. Snowdon Base Camp is the final part in a very effective filtration process to find like minded individuals who are not interested in themselves, in-spite of the pain they never want to let their colleagues down. They have a huge degree of pride and self motivation. They are the people who put others first whatever the circumstances. They are UKFast people bone deep.
This is not everyone's cup of tea, but if it sounds the sort of thing that interests you, maybe you should give our recruitment team a shout, and I'll see you at the top. The top of Snowdon!
Saturday 16 October 2010
Lawrence_Jones@UKFast talks from the heart about John & Julian Lennon and an inspirational entrepreneur & friend. LJ
http://bit.ly/dkie7I
http://bit.ly/dkie7I
RT @UKFast: If you're looking for an inspiring read, @Lawrence_Jones business blog is fantastic! http://bit.ly/9ApG1N (thanks from LJ)
Monday 11 October 2010
From Dover and Back Again. MD@UKFast Blogs about one of the UK's finest entrepreneurs and manufacturers. http://bit.ly/cwh7oX
Monday 4 October 2010
Times Gone By. Latest Blog from MD @ukfast discusses why you need to listen to customers.
http://bit.ly/bLOPY4
http://bit.ly/bLOPY4
Saturday 2 October 2010
Monday 27 September 2010
Sunday 26 September 2010
Chasing Your Tale
I got sucked under the snow and that is the last I saw of them. The adrenalin is keeping me calm for whatever is coming next. I stopped fighting the mountain of snow, it is futile. It is highly likely I am going to need all the energy I can muster in the coming moments. The sudden realisation that I am about to die and there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent it is life changing, ironically just all a bit too late!
Underground I am being turned over and over. I relaxed and went with the flow. I was sucked deep down below the surface. The lights went out and suddenly everything was quiet, very dark and very still.
My only companion now was the sound of myself panting for air that didn't exist, it was as clear as the daylight above ground that I was never going to see again, this life is over.
This is an edited version on an experience I went through in 2001. It was a horrific experience, it was my worst nightmare. But which part is the nightmare?
Imagine for a second, you are on your death-bed, you have a matter of moments to live. You don't need to add in any horrific circumstances, just the facts, this is the end of your life. You are fully conscious. What do you do?
Do you want a hint?
Well you don't worry about the bills you haven't paid yet, or the money you never made.
I can tell you exactly what you do. For me the lack of oxygen and the circumstances of my near death experience were irrelevant. The fear was replaced by regret. The feeling of regret was so immense that everything else paled into insignificance.
What is there to regret, and why bother? Your life is over, there is no point reminiscing.
Yet, on my death-bed, the sound of my panting ringing through my head, the sound of myself dying for air, all I could focus on was the wonderful people in my life and the moments I shared with them and the moments that could have been.
What a waste. Even though I was grateful, I still recognised the waste I'd made of my sorry existence.
Life's very different now.
Another great week flies by and what are we left with? What do we have to show for it? What can you say you did this week that was different form the last?
Once you have stripped away the financial gains, the wins the losses, what are we left with?
I have a theory that it is all about emotion. That's what I learnt down there deep in my ice-cold tomb.
Yet I know so many business owners who are desperately chasing their dreams and tails. Desperate to make as much money in as short a space of time.
Why? The more successful I become, the more I realise that it is less about money. The super successful people I know, don't seem to be bothered at all by money.
When you are on your death-bed and you are listing your regrets in your mind, can you honestly imagine a more ridiculous scenario than being troubled by the amount of money you never made?
Of course not.
I am not that different from the next man. In fact we are all surprisingly similar. We are all made form the same flesh and blood. The only differences that separate us are the circumstances that shape our values and beliefs.
Before the avalanche, I chased my tail and I chased it hard.
Now, all I value are the emotions I share with family and friends. Good and bad ones alike. It doesn't matter. The bad ones are as important as the great ones. Without the troughs, the peaks wouldn't feel so euphoric.
It is safe to say that the avalanche for me was a life changing event and today it is every bit as real as the day I went under and I am a different person since being dragged out and resuscitated.
The point I am making is not why are you working so hard? Working hard is essential. Where are you going and why?" is a much better question.
Earlier in the week, I'd been out with Gail (my wife) and heard the most amazing piano vocalist. He was over from the US on tour. He was playing in 2 nights time in Manchester city centre.
Being an ex-promoter and pianist I know how hard these guy graft to make ends meet. I took a few minutes to speak with his agent, Steve. I bought a couple of CD's.
This week I was asked by 20 or more people "why have we got a grand piano in the office and who is that guy playing it? What's the occasion?"
The truth of the matter, there is no more special occasion than being able to say thank you to all your work colleagues who work week in week out for you. To get a moment where we can share great memories, well that's worth doing it for. The in-laws brought my 2 little girls in and before you know, there is a full blown party with food and laughter aplenty.
I knew that everyone would appreciate this guy, so we went for it.
At the end of your life if you are lucky enough to have the chance to reflect, "no regrets" that's the cliche. but really, it is true.
Don't you want to be the grandfather / grandmother with the most amazing tale to tell. That's what you should be chasing. Lessons that you are able to pass on.
Chasing your Tale
I got sucked under the snow and that is the last I saw of them. The adrenalin is keeping me calm for whatever is coming next. I stopped fighting the mountain of snow, it is futile. It is highly likely I am going to need all the energy I can muster in the coming moments. The sudden realisation that I am about to die and there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent it is life changing, ironically just all a bit too late!
This is an edited version on an experience I went through in 2001. It was a horrific experience, it was my worst nightmare. But which part is the nightmare?
Another great week flies by and what are we left with? What do we have to show for it? What can you say you did this week that was different form the last?
Underground I am being turned over and over. I relaxed and went with the flow. I was sucked deep down below the surface. The lights went out and suddenly everything was quiet, very dark and very still.
My only companion now was the sound of myself panting for air that didn't exist, it was as clear as the daylight above ground that I was never going to see again, this life is over.
Imagine for a second, you are on your death-bed, you have a matter of moments to live. You don't need to add in any horrific circumstances, just the facts, this is the end of your life. You are fully conscious. What do you do?
Do you want a hint?
Well you don't worry about the bills you haven't paid yet, or the money you never made.
I can tell you exactly what you do. For me the lack of oxygen and the circumstances of my near death experience were irrelevant. The fear was replaced by regret. The feeling of regret was so immense that everything else paled into insignificance.
What is there to regret, and why bother? Your life is over, there is no point reminiscing.
Yet, on my death-bed, the sound of my panting ringing through my head, the sound of myself dying for air, all I could focus on was the wonderful people in my life and the moments I shared with them and the moments that could have been.
What a waste. Even though I was grateful, I still recognised the waste I'd made of my sorry existence.
Life's very different now.
Once you have stripped away the financial gains, the wins the losses, what are we left with?
I have a theory that it is all about emotion. That's what I learnt down there deep in my ice-cold tomb.
Yet I know so many business owners who are desperately chasing their dreams and tails. Desperate to make as much money in as short a space of time.
Why? The more successful I become, the more I realise that it is less about money. The super successful people I know, don't seem to be bothered at all by money.
When you are on your death-bed and you are listing your regrets in your mind, can you honestly imagine a more ridiculous scenario than being troubled by the amount of money you never made?
Of course not.
I am not that different from the next man. In fact we are all surprisingly similar. We are all made form the same flesh and blood. The only differences that separate us are the circumstances that shape our values and beliefs.
Before the avalanche, I chased my tail and I chased it hard.
Now, all I value are the emotions I share with family and friends. Good and bad ones alike. It doesn't matter. The bad ones are as important as the great ones. Without the troughs, the peaks wouldn't feel so euphoric.
It is safe to say that the avalanche for me was a life changing event and today it is every bit as real as the day I went under and I am a different person since being dragged out and resuscitated.
The point I am making is not why are you working so hard? Working hard is essential. Where are you going and why?" is a much better question.
Earlier in the week, I'd been out with Gail (my wife) and heard the most amazing piano vocalist. He was over from the US on tour. He was playing in 2 nights time in Manchester city centre.
Being an ex-promoter and pianist I know how hard these guy graft to make ends meet. I took a few minutes to speak with his agent, Steve. I bought a couple of CD's.
This week I was asked by 20 or more people "why have we got a grand piano in the office and who is that guy playing it? What's the occasion?"
The truth of the matter, there is no more special occasion than being able to say thank you to all your work colleagues who work week in week out for you. To get a moment where we can share great memories, well that's worth doing it for. The in-laws brought my 2 little girls in and before you know, there is a full blown party with food and laughter aplenty.
I knew that everyone would appreciate this guy, so we went for it.
At the end of your life if you are lucky enough to have the chance to reflect, "no regrets" that's the cliche. but really, it is true.
Don't you want to be the grandfather / grandmother with the most amazing tale to tell. That's what you should be chasing. Lessons that you are able to pass on.
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