Blog more? Really.......

Hi,

I hope everyone is good and enjoyed a well deserved Bank Holiday break - I know I did. Problem is, the next one is ages away! In between now and then I aim to tie up a few loose ends with my photography and see the birth of my new business. I don't normally do my blog this soon after my last but this is where constructive criticism comes into play.

Ive been told

a) Your Blogs don't sound like you
b) You should blog more often 

Ok, so these were given to me by separate people and Ive taken them on board so ill try harder. The thing about this type of criticism is that most of the time it can really help but you must be open minded and use the information as you see fit.

1018MM

1018MM is going really well, Ive already had a few enquiries that sound like a lot of fun. I took time out over the weekend (after a Swedish full body massage at Moddershall oaks) to got to Mow Cop castle with my camera. I knew it was incredibly overcast but I wanted to capture a moody, dark image using the available surroundings. I'm looking forward to putting them on my Blog and website this week. I'm not sure how they came out yet as I used my new ND Filters to get long exposures during the day along with my new Sigma wide angle 10-20mm lens........ Hopefully they will be ok!?

I read an interesting article in my latest photography magazine on Sunday and there was a quote that brought a smile to my face. It was in a context about taking better photos and I immediately though about it in every day life. In so many different aspects of life, no matter what you have or done there is someone out there who has done better or got more. With photography, you might take a brilliant photo that took hours to get but someone inevitably has done it better........... Well don't worry I smiled when I read;

"don't get bitter, get better"

A motto so many people could do with using.

Thats me for today,

David,

Just where has the time gone..........

Wow

I mean, really wow!

I'm still struggling to keep up with everything that is going on around me. I keep getting told to slow down and take it easy, but, the truth is I love it! I love thinking of new ideas and working out how to kick them off - If its something for later life, then it goes straight into my notes on my iPad. I have over 200 notes that are synced to my computer, iPhone and iPad so I cant get away from them. Some are put to one side others are moved up the list. Anyway, I'm going to give you a quick overview of what ive done since my last Blog nearly two months ago.

The Sentinel Business Awards

BOOOOOO I didn't win The Young Business Person of the year Award but runners up was still enough to put a huge smile on my face. To be honest, I got just as much publicity and media coverage (If not more) than the successful winner. I soon decided that there's always next time and I will have my chance.

BUT

WOOOHOO I did win The Training Excellence Award against some incredibly strong competition. So, I did get to go on stage, I did get my winners photo and I did take a trophy to the office the next day. I was so proud to receive my first award for something I hold close to my heart. The training I role out amongst our 120 strong workforce is imperative to what I believe is our continued success. Winning the category re-confirmed and strengthened my beliefs in creating a knowledge rich, empowered workforce. The award is proudly situated amongst our other awards, but stands out as a non selfish award.

Business Development

I set out over three months ago to strengthen a particular arm within the Browns Distribution, this was our Warehousing and Storage division. I decided to implement a strategy (yes, it was a note in my iPad) that was expand our warehouse service. It compromised of a huge redevelopment of out 7 acre site in Tunstall and its nearly coming to completion. The BEST thing is, my great Sales Department as nearly hit their targets with filling the new complex. Everyone involved has done a super job - I cant wait to see it all finished. I will absolutely upload pictures of the finished complex.

Heres a good one; I had Stoke on Trents Lord Mayor Denver Tolley come and see me last month. Its going to sound like im bragging here so let me put some bullets points down to take any "emotion" out of the context......

• Visit from The Lord Mayor and Mayoress
• Customer Open Day that was talked about on BBC Radio Stoke
• A Red Ribbon was cut by the Mayor to our new vehicle park
• Ride and Drive around Tunstall (on the day) with a fully freighted artic for customers
• A Visit from the sentinel (Printed shortly after)
• A short coach trip to our main central Hub for a full site tour (£20 Million Facility)

The Mayor and his good Lady, the Mayoress were such lovely people. We could not ask that a more dedicated pair represent our home town Stoke on Trent.

More Business Development

Ive managed to find time to start a new Ltd business. Yep, as if ive not already got enough to do. I don't want to say what it is just yet but its extremely exciting. Currently im finalising staff, objectives and tying up the loose ends.

I am the Managing Director of "..................." Keep you posted ;-)

Ha ha. I figured out that when im not working, well, im not working so ive started a little private photography business called 1018MM Photography. The 1018 refers to a focal point of a lens that I like using as it adds to great composition in shots with a lot of drama. Ive decided that I enjoy taking photos so much that I will start my own part time business. (Oh, this is nothing to do with my other business above).

1018MM Photography will focus on

Fashion | Event | Portrait | Automotive & maybe, maybe weddings just so I can throw in a photography cliché 

Please take a look at my website. I built it myself and would love to know what everyone thinks of it. You need to be patient as your going through the gallery as the images are very large. Ive purposefully left them large for better viewing. Have fun....... and ill speak to you in a min when you have finished looking at my site.

www.1018mm.co.uk

So, what did you think??? I suppose now would be a good time to say - "I will look after your photography needs"

I think thats it for now. I'd also like to say thanks to all my great friends as Ive truly had a wicked weekend filled with great food, fine drink and lots and lots of laughs.

Bye for now,

Please get in touch if theres anything I can help with

Ideas | Ventures | Business 

David,

p.s Heres some new pics you might like.....

Bye again..........