EF News
We asked - you answered!
As part of our Big Question feature, we asked four Forum members: if you had an extra hour of free time every day how would you use it?
Yvonne Bell
Assuming that it would always feel ‘extra’ like the morning when the clocks go back and you had forgotten… I would use the time to re-learn playing the piano. I inherited my Mum’s piano and it needs to be played properly… Chopsticks is not good enough.
At the weekend I would stay in bed for the extra hour and not feel guilty about wasting the morning…
Abu Ali, Williams Ali Corporate Finance
This is such a difficult question because the one thing I have realised in the last few years is that time really is the most valuable commodity we all have. I would love to spend more time with my family and friends, playing golf, watching football (not so much the current NUFC team though) etc.
However, the reality is that if I did find an extra hour in the day I would most likely try and better develop myself and my business. I think the best way to do this is by simply speaking to other business owners. I still find it amazing how open and helpful successful entrepreneurs are and how much you can pick up by talking to someone who has been there and done it. There is some excellent knowledge and experience in this region and I hope to be able to keep learning from it!
This is such a difficult question because the one thing I have realised in the last few years is that time really is the most valuable commodity we all have. I would love to spend more time with my family and friends, playing golf, watching football (not so much the current NUFC team though) etc.
However, the reality is that if I did find an extra hour in the day I would most likely try and better develop myself and my business. I think the best way to do this is by simply speaking to other business owners. I still find it amazing how open and helpful successful entrepreneurs are and how much you can pick up by talking to someone who has been there and done it. There is some excellent knowledge and experience in this region and I hope to be able to keep learning from it!
Nick Salloway, Qrious
I would help fellow entrepreneurs to discover the great outdoors.
Whether it’s an adrenaline-fuelled blast down a steep descent on a mountain bike, a gentle walk in the Northumbrian hills, or a day in the surf at a local beach, every professional challenge will be helped by taking a step away and immersing yourself in nature.
Being outside, alone, away from distractions, including your phone, encourages your mind to wander. Instead of looking down and responding to every ping, you’ll look up and look away. Before long, you will free your mind from the daily grind, and by some quirk of evolution, you’ll feel your presence in nature come together with your human nature. New thoughts will trickle into your mind revealing ideas and solutions that weren’t there before.
Take a notebook with you; you’ll need it to write things down.
Drop me a line if you need a guide.
Katherine Keddie, Adopter
Our business is at the forefront of two rapidly developing industries: digital marketing and green technology.
In green-tech, innovation and ‘disruption’ is active in every sector, from agriculture to finance, as we move towards a Net Zero economy.
Within marketing, the changing ‘norms’ and digitisation of B2B buying means that forward-thinking businesses are re-thinking their traditional marketing approaches and developing their online presence.
Both industries are technically advancing rapidly and at Adopter, it’s our job to be as agile as the clients we work with.
That’s why I would spend my extra hour of the day talking and learning.
Talking to scientists, marketers and technical experts.
Understanding the areas of growth and technical development to ensure we are developing our offering alongside them.
In my opinion, you can never learn enough from others, especially in a rapidly developing niche!
