Saturday 6th August 2016 - Our USP? What is our Unique Selling Point?

Posted 6:15pm,

According to the website: www.entrepeneur.com:

"A unique selling proposition or otherwise known as USP (unique selling point), is a factor that a business has that makes it different and or better than others out there. It makes a business stand out from the rest in a market"

There is a great deal of research from the Department of Health, Universities, and Health studies that clearly shows people who exercise more, maintain a good routine, and eat healthily, are fitter and have a better mental health.

One of the reasons this whole concept popped into my head came about following a bout of depression I went through around 12 years ago.  My doctor was able to prescribe visits to my local gym.  It was a scheme called Exercise on Referral - and is still being run. However:

Patients need to meet the following criteria:

·         18 years or over and have consented fully to take part

·         Live in Islington

·         Have an Islington GP

·         BMI ≥30.0 - ≤39.9

·         Q Risk score ≥20% (as indicated by NHS health check)

·         Controlled Diabetes I or II

·         High Risk of Diabetes II

·         Stable cardiovascular disease

·         Hypertension

·         COPD

·         Asthma

·         Mental Health condition

·         Musculoskeletal conditions

·         Older people 65+ at risk of falls

You have to be referred by a health professional,  And there can be a six week wait, although it is free, and you get 20 visits to a gym, where you are monitored.  It is very good.  It certainly helped me.

My idea, here, is that when you are unemployed you very quickly get in bad habits, and develop issues that affect your health, finances, and social life.  You need access to this kind of help, but there is nothing around to assist.  I also ascertain that you do not have to go to a gym.  You can do various exercises and procedures, at home or outdoors, on your own or in a group.

We have a couple of USPs.

We would be the only company working with people as soon as they sign on.  Yes, out program will help the long term unemployed, people on health benefits, people on probation, and NEETS (people Not in Education, Employment or Training), but one of our main outcomes is to lower the number of people reaching long term unemployment with early intervention.  There seems to be an unwritten directive that when you first sign on you are fine to be left to your own devices.  Clearly that is not always the case, but I was told this by Islington Council's Employment Team.  So by pre-empting problems we can get people back to work quicker, healthier, fitter and happier.

We are the only company offering a bespoke look on well-being, health and fitness to those out of work.  From my experience, and from talking to many people out of work, it is clear that mental health deteriorates quite quickly.  There would be no waiting time for those entering our program.

We would offer appropriate and relevant advice to each individual based on their needs, and not generalise them.  They should be made to feel important, and not just one person among many.

Friday 5th August 2016 - who am I? and Why am I doing this?

Posted 7:35pm

A good day on the project..  I have pinpointed a further two agencies we can approach.  Therefore nextt Monday I will be collecting six more proposals to deliver - that alongside the five already delivered.

I also met with a reporter from the Islington Tribune; Joe.  He confirmed that they will definitely be following the project and will do some features on it for us - including reports and photos, pushing for further funding.  Delighted!!!!

So who am I?  And why do I feel that I should the one to provide this service?

I am Lawrence.  Currently 49 - not for much longer as my big 50th is in less than two weeks.

I have mostly worked with accounts in my career - a QBE accountant (qualified by experience). Generally that means that I know what I am doing, although I don't have the formal qualification.

My specialty has been going in to companies who are shaking a bit, and putting them right.

I managed an International Charity around 16 years ago - so my management skills are very good. A great deal of organising, and reporting to a Council.  Taught me a lot about work, and myself.

I was once the finance and office manager for the Trade Association of the year in 2007.

I oversaw the accounts in New York, Amsterdam and London for a retail group, advising on tax and general income and expenditure.

So I feel my various experiences have now culminated to running my own business, dealing with staff and a committee.  I am learning all the time - and admit it is daunting and scary - but is that not all part of the fun?

I am doing this because it is the sort of help that I wanted, needed, and looked for when I was made redundant a few years ago.  I am not ashamed to say I had a couple of periods of depression over the last fifteen years, and have gone through periods on unemployment.

More than anyone, I can say that concentrating on improving yourself, your health and fitness, maintaining a good routine, and being proactive, can make you happier, healthier, fitter, and more energised.  All of which are very important when unemployed.

I am passionate about this.  And I will make this a success.  I need help from others, obviously, and have been lucky to find a good team around me.

Over this weekend I will lay out how we intend to work with the clients.  This is going to be a fantastic ride.  Follow us on it, please!!!  :-)

Thursday 4th August 2016 - Current Developments

Posted 9:50pm

Where are we at the moment?  What is happening?  Why the excitement.

The project has been a few years in development.  The last twenty-two months have involved honing the concept and paperwork.  Terrific help from many avenues.  But several people were urging me to start working with clients to gather evidence.

I have to say I was reluctant at first.  I had researched the problems involved with unemployment - in particular the links it has with smoking, alcohol, substance misuse, nutrition, mental health, routine, as well as the way it affected people's financial status and social life.

But of course people were right.

So, as already stated before, we have so far approached four organisations, with a further five being approached next week.  I have also today found another two I am in discussion with.  I am aiming to work with 100 clients over the next six months.  Unpaid!!!

Money - funding - is incredibly hard to find.  A lot of people like what I have, and think the concept is terrific, but as soon as you mention the word "funding" people disappear quicker than a plate of doughnuts in front me!!! (not that I would of course, as trying to lose a little weight).

However, we have found a charity in Islington and, following a telephone conversation, have been encouraged to approach them for a small grant - this could cover six month's travel, insurance, printing, mobile, and a small salary amount (say £100 a week - which I can earn and still get benefits - which is not a lot of money, but at least I could live).

So that is where we are at the moment.  I have to develop a website (am having conversations).  I also have to get the fitness side sorted out - a booklet, plus advice sheet, plus videos - and my main man Adam and I will need to get that done.  But it is exciting.

I also have to work out the nutrition booklet, and forms.

Wednesday 3rd August 2016 - What is HMHB?: What is the Ajani Project?

Posted 8:35pm

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods is the brainchild of myself.  It was set up following a redundancy in 2009.  However, due to work issues, and health issues, it is only more recently that things have progressed enough to start.

I found, when signing on, that there was no help for anyone unemployed to keep them motivated and encouraged whilst finding work.  Health, Routine and Finance all declined rapidly.  There needed to be a system in place that, if you wanted the help, you could go to for assistance.  In particular, health and routine are very important.

I describe it as giving yourself an MOT.  As you are out of work - actively looking for employment - you do have extra time on your hands to ensure you are doing the best you can.  Maybe it is an opportunity to stop smoking, review your drinking habits, overview your nutrition, and get yourself fitter and healthier.  The short and long term effects would be significant.

Ajani - this is the name for the project, overseen by the HMHB brand.  "Ajani" is an African word - it means "he who improves himself" - and seemed approriate.

I was exceptionally lucky to meet a business mentor.  His name is Scott, and he works for KPMG. Originally, it was meant to be a six month stint, nudging me along to employment.  It has turned into two years of fantastic assistance.  He has kept me focused when times have been hard.  He has motivated me when it appeared the project would not get off the ground.  He has kept me level headed when things were racing along.  I could not have done this without him.

I was also fortunate to meet an amazing Personal Trainer, called Adam.  Astonishingly, when  I think about it, it was almost three years ago I attended a fitness bootcamp in the Cotswolds.  I had put on a lot of weight, due to a health issue, and knew I needed to do something about it.  (I have yoyoed ever since - but am back improving my fitness and health with my own programme at the moment).  Adam was the Head Trainer, and was encouraging from the very start.  I signed up for three weeks - it was expensive at the time - but it inspired me.  Adam is going to be my main man when it comes to the fitness side of the Ajani project.

I would ask people to follow this blog - tell people about it - as it will follow the project as we work with clients, it will follow myself as I fight ttowards good health and fitness.  I will put what I learn from both the business and personal.  I will also be putting articles and features on fitness and health and unemployment.  Things that I think are relevant to improving your life.

Tuesday 2nd August 2016 - exciting launch ahead

Posted 9:40pm

This blog is also replacing one I was doing earlier - for my own fitness.  It was:

www.lazzafitness.blogspot.com

The Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods (HMHB) project is hoping to launch in September/October this year.

With the help of my business mentor, Scott Hay from KPMG, we have approached nine entities to work with their clients:

Job Centre Plus themselves (JCP)

Business in the Community (BITC)

Single Homeless Project (SHP)

ISIS North (Islington Substance Abuse help)

Family Mosaic Housing

Circle Housing

Peabody Housing

The Hyde Group (Housing)

Newlon Housing

This blog will follow the work that HMHB do on this project - which is called Ajani.  It was set up by myself - Lawrence - following observations after being made redundant around 7 years ago.  I have been working on development and research on and off for a while - but the last twenty months I have really pushed to try and get it started.

I will fill in more details on a daily basis.  It will also follow my efforts to get fit and healthy - and remain that way.  It will include articles that I find that could be helpful to those like me - people who do not find it easy to maintain, but understand the significant benefits a healthy lifestyle and routine can provide.

Please let others know about this blog, and ask people to follow me.  My journey is going to be eventful, exciting, and enjoyable (I hope).  There will be pitfalls along the way - ups and downs - tears and laughter - but isn't that what makes life what it is?

I will add things on a daily basis - on project and myself.  There will be pictures, videos, links, and plenty of information.  This is a massive leap for me - and would love lots of others to follow my journey, and maybe find it inspires others to start their own.