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The World of Property Investment….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Growing Talent 12 (www.growing-talent.co.uk) is now firmly underway.  Reports so far are all good.

 

Yesterday I visited Sebastien who has a background in sales, abroad and at home.  With a passion for property but no experience he was a strong fit for Invest In Buy To Let who selected him to join them via the Growing Talent programme.

 

Two weeks in – the shine is not wearing off!  Cold calling, researching and evening events have meant Sebastien has been able to work with multiple people and learn quicker in situ.  He’s building his own client contacts and formulating strong relationships.

 

Luckily, Silin from Growing Talent 10 works for Shane, one of the directors in his other business Create A Business.  Based at the same venue, she can give Sebastien the encouragement doing the programme demands.

 

It always amazes me how some people write off those who are unemployed without knowing their stories, personalities etc.  Everyone on Growing Talent has to work full-time – often unsociable hours – for no money other than their benefits.  Grated, at the end there is a permanent job on offer where both employer and new employee have a confident match.  But the journey to that goal can be quite gruelling – especially the longer you’ve been out of work or the more negative, discouraging voices you have around you!

 

It takes a lot of tenacity and integrity to complete Growing Talent – definitely not for the faint hearted!

A reward for the homeless……… McDonalds? Really?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

A small feature appeared in the Metro this morning.

 

I’m not sure it was published to applaud or complain about this new initiative.

 

The idea is to get the homeless to collect rubbish once a month for 90 minutes with the reward being vouchers to spend in McDonalds doesn’t seem quite right.

 

A number of questions sprang to my mind on reading this.

 

  1. Were homeless people and the outreach charities supporting them consulted to understand what they wanted as a reward?
  2. Why homeless people? What about excluded youth, isolated single parents? How did the Councils agree on Homeless.  I’m not saying it’s right or wrong to focus on this group, just how was the decision made.
  3. Instead of fast food, why not a healthy nutritious sit down meal with other members of the community to feel a true part not an outsider?
  4. Were the options looked at to offer showers and clean, dry clothes instead of a ‘happy meal’?
  5. How do you ensure the people you are helping are truly homeless?  A lot of people in London aren’t and/or run by gangs.  We are actively told not to give money to ‘homeless’ people but to call the outreach charities who ensure no on sleeps more than one night outside unless they want to.
  6. How often are the vouchers issued?  Doesn’t seem much reward if it’s just once a month after 90 minutes litter picking. You can still get a Happy Meal for 99p, I believe – well below the minimum wage!

 

Much more impressive would have been some inclusivity to invite/encourage the homeless to rejoin society.  This initiative, on the face of what’s reported, seems to focus on an isolated, vulnerable group and keep them there……………