Dear friends and colleagues,
It has been almost six months since I left Kenes. After the rollercoaster ride of the last three years I decided that it was important to take the time to reconnect with many of my contacts by meeting, talking and, most importantly, listening. In doing so I have been able to get a really up to date feel for what today’s market is doing and what opportunities are out there.
The many people who have been so generous with their time and attention have been invaluable in supporting me, and their counsel has helped me to see clearly that the next chapter in my career must be where my strengths lie. I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to meet me, for your generosity and valuable input.
At this point plans are becoming ever more concrete and so I would like to take the time to update you on what I have been doing. I hope that some of the work might be of interest to you, and that when the appropriate situation arises you might consider me for future opportunities in the form of projects and consultancy. My services are flexibly designed to my clients’ needs; from facilitating one day strategy sessions to delivering short-term projects or undertaking longer term work on a retained basis.
Consultancy
Although I don’t like the clichéd image that is often attached to consultancy these days, it is probably the best word that immediately comes to mind to describe some of the contracts I have delivered on and continue to work on. I have had the pleasure of being invited to contribute to a number of diverse projects in a number of settings.
Mike Clark at RevSales has been a contact I had the pleasure of meeting just recently. I was immediately struck by the potential of his professional training in how to use LinkedIn more effectively for the medical and wider association markets. I have helped Mike to get to know and understand the market, and to test and develop his product with the mentorship of a senior focus group whose input has been invaluable. As we move to the stage of monetizing the offering I am excited to see what lies ahead for Mike.
Speaking and facilitation
I have had a number of opportunities in the past few months to facilitate sessions as well as speaking myself on various topics relating to my expertise in the Conference and Association Meetings Market. I have spoken at Conventa, Confex, The Scottish Business Tourism Conference, ABPCO sessions, the Association Event Planners International Association Forum and The Meetings Show UK. In addition to this I have facilitated strategic sessions as a neutral party for associations.
For me, most memorable of these was undoubtedly my trip to Conventa in Llublijana. My experience there was very special. A particular highlight was an amazing chance meeting with Bogdan Lipovsek, who not only shared his expertise with me but also shared a very personal and moving story with me from his own life.
Choose M.A.D www.choosemad.com
I have had, the over the past six months, the privilege of being involved in the launch of this hugely exciting venture. Choose M.A.D. (Make a Difference) is a pioneering venture for charities and not for profits, designed to generate significant additional income on a risk-free, high yield basis. M.A.D. offers a number of fundraising services, including an online jewellery store branded to the individual charity, jewellery merchandise, shop stocking and jewellery parties.
For every purchase made through M.A.D. the nominated charity receives 100 per cent of the retail profit from that purchase. Charities can also source high value auction prizes, with payment accepted only when the agreed reserve is met. M.A.D. already has more than 10,000 followers on Facebook and more than 200 charities registered within just four months of launching.
I have been spending a lot of my time as a part time Director in the business and will be continue to do so in the coming months. It has been amazing to be involved in a business that truly does make a difference to so many people every single day.
The Future
Over the course of the past six months many thoughts regarding the future have begun to crystalise and I am exploring a new and exciting venture that I truly believe will significantly impact and assist both the conference and association sector and all those working in or in work related to it. Watch this space for some exciting developments over the coming months.
Please do feel free to get in touch, and let’s talk.
Michael Foreman, Managing Partner at Michael Foreman
Any comments? Email sarah@mashmedia.net
