The walk will follow the Norfolk Coastal Path from Hunstanton to Cromer with a number of food and refreshment stops along the way. We will also have a few surprise celebrity guests appearing for different sections of the event. It will take place on the 22nd of June and I am looking for anyone who would like to enter a team, sponsor me, or even sponsor some other part of the logistics of the event, like the food, those that do will get their logo on the official collateral, included our shirts and some great publicity! If you are interested please do drop me a line, I would be pleased to hear from you. 

I also had a few meetings with people we would very much like to see get involved with us in ipatter. We're always on the lookout for like minded people, with a passion for what we do and I always find it uplifting to talk to these positive go getters, with their can do attitudes. You could say I was in my element during those meetings. Watch this space the team has just expanded again with an individual that we are all very excited about welcoming to the team!

My tips for the day:

A day of back-to-back meetings is exhausting and overwhelming. Running from meeting to meeting, you leave an inbox full of unanswered emails and undoubtedly start to run late to your afternoon appointments. For an ex-military man there's nothing more frustrating than running late! You can stop this madness by doing these simple things:

• Fifty minute meetings – Insist on 50 minute meetings. what can be done in 60 minutes that can't be done easily in 50, with some focus and discipline?

• Change the default on your system – Defy the default in your calendar and send meeting requests that end 10 minutes before the hour. 

• Take quick breaks – Doing the above will allow you to take quick breaks, check email and restore some sanity to your day.

I have a very busy week next week and so most of the day, before going to see the Norwich game, was preparation for the coming week. I have another recruitment day and a sales meeting with the entire team, which, I guess are the two big events for the week, the rest of the time is meetings, meetings and then still more meetings. Lets hope they all bear fruit. As you know I'm not a great fan of meetings that don't have an outcome as they are just a waste of time and resource. 

When I had finished I sat in the rain for 90 minutes and watched our local team get outclassed by an on form Liverpool side, it was still very entertaining and to be fair who'd have thought last year that I would be sitting watching Norwich play the mighty Liverpool! So it's difficult to feel disappointed! 

Andy and I had a few conversations over the weekend and we have really made some great progress on our planning for the overall growth of the business going forward, he's come back, taken what must have been the deepest of breaths, started at pace and he hasn't stopped since, I don't mind the relentless pace it reminds me of me:).

It also makes me think about all the times in the past, where I can remember feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things that needed to be done and the feeling that there just wasn't enough time to do it all. That then leads to fear of failure, if you can't get it all done, how can you gain real and full success? 

I was of course mistaken and I wanted to share this though with you.

My tips for the day:

If you're like most people and that includes me! You'll sometimes feel overwhelmed with how much you have to do and frustrated by all the things you can't finish. Here are some tips that might just help you:

• Reality check – The reality is there isn't enough time to do it all. Once you admit that, you can explicitly choose what you're going to do.

• Use the cracks – Instead of letting things haphazardly fall through the cracks, you can intentionally push unimportant things aside and focus on the things that matter.

• Use pauses – Don't feel you have to instantly react to new things that land on your desk. Instead pause, assess and make deliberate choices that will move you forward towards your goal.

• Not to do list – Finally make a conscious decision about what you're not going to do.

We spent a good couple of hours together and, as always, it was a very fruitful and positive meeting. Once completed I headed back to the desk for more preparation, for what should be very big week next week. 

Other than the planning for the week ahead, the other element of the business taking my attention today was that of communication. This has come up for a number of reasons, not least the need to constantly review what and how we communicate, both internally and externally. One of the issues is related to how easy it is to forget to keep people informed of what's going on in the business, making sure we share the good and the bad news equally.

Business owners often share the good but forget the bad. Contrary to popular belief it is just as important to share the bad news too. People are not stupid and will be able to tell when things are not going well. Rather than keeping them in the dark it is far better to level with them explain and give them the opportunity to offer up ideas and opinions. I am aware, as I write this, some of you will think this a prelude to some bad news. sorry to disappoint, in general I am very happy with progress and the team is working well!

One of my often used business phrases, relating to leadership is, 'leave nothing unsaid.' This relates to communication in general, an area of business, for most, that is in need of improvement I think. One of the communication challenges is making sure you give regular feedback and more importantly, perhaps, is to make sure the feedback is received in the way it's intended, which can be difficult, as we all hate getting negative comments!

My tips for the day:

No one likes to hear feedback that tells them they aren't performing well. Yet, everyone can improve and therefore should welcome the opportunity, as long as it is delivered well! Next time you receive constructive feedback, try these three things:

• Relax – It's understandable to be nervous during a feedback session. The other person holds all the power. Accept this imbalance and relax into it, don't beat yourself up over it, use it as a learning opportunity.

• Expect to be surprised – You're likely to hear something that you weren't aware of. Perhaps something was a bigger deal than you thought, or something you thought was resolved wasn't. 

• Don't be defensive – Even if you disagree, hold your tongue. Instead of defending yourself, ask questions. Once you've cooled down, you can always follow up. Pick your fights very carefully.

Waking to the news, that we were in a 'double dip' recession was quite amusing, not the actual fact we were in this situation. The part that amuses me is the number of people who choose to react to this inevitable news in the wrong way, I have to say from what I can see that's more people than it should be!

What I mean by this is, so many businesses appear to be shutting up shop and reducing the very activities they should be increasing at this time. I am of course talking about Marketing and Sales activities. If you're thinking of reducing, stop, instead look at increasing the activities but look to reduce spending by working smarter and harder to get through these unusual times.

I had a really good meeting with Bev today, she has just started with us and will be making contact with many of our clients in the next few weeks. She knows her way around a meeting and I can't wait for her to show me how it should be done Yes Bev that was a challenge! 

I had a number of conversations with recruitment agencies today too, I am always on the look out for a great deal as the team is still in it's growth phase. I also helped out one or two people putting together their patters, in a way we hope will be of greater interest and note for their target market. All in all it was a good day, which is often the case after a bad one! 

My tips for the day:

Successfully communicating with customers is the foundation for all sales. In these difficult times more sales are all important. Here are two simple tactics that will increase the likelihood that your customers hear what you have to say:

• Understand their language – Too many companies use a one-size-fits-all sales pitch. The reality is that your customers speak a unique language based on their personality type and life experiences. Tailor your approach and your language for each customer. 

• Focus on them, not you – It's tempting when trying to make a sale to talk about "my company, my product's benefits, my product's features." INstead, turn the spotlight on your customers. Talk about their problems, their values, their purchasing plans.

Andy made contact today as his holiday is nearing the end and I think he can't wait to get back into the battle, I have to say I'm looking forward to that too! We have a big job ahead of us and the more hands to the pump the better. Aaron seems to be making some great progress in London, so much so that he's starting to plan the first Central London event, when I heard that news, it was music to my ears. I'm also looking forward meeting his team at the meeting next week. It looks like Helen is back in the groove too, which I have to say is really pleasing for me as she's a great asset for us in her area. 

I have been listening to clients again today, on what they would like to see most on the platform going forward, I am finding this such a useful exercise and will start to put together a development plan of all the points raised over the next few days. Most of their suggestions make perfect sense to me and I can see how many of these will bring with them a much higher level of engagement, with all our clients.

When I got home, I started to replay the day, as I often do to see where I could have done better, or what I could have done differently, to improve the outcomes. The exercise reminded me of the importance of always having 'fall back' tactics for the unexpected.

My tips for the day:

In todays world of financial crisis, currency fluctuations and terrorist threats, coping with the unexpected isn't just a good leadership skill, it's critical. Here are three ways you can improve your response to and minimise the impact of those inevitable disruptions to your plans:

• Have a back-up plan – You may not always be able to rehearse 'Plan B' but you should have alternative approaches that can help you get out of a bind. In the absence of actual plans, mental flexibility can help you respond more quickly.

• Speed up communication – Information needs to move through your company quickly and efficiently. Find ways you can collect and disseminate data in short cycles.

• Instil values – Values help people know the right thing to do, without being told or waiting for permission. They also bind a company together when surprises happen and therefore can help companies recover more quickly. 

The meeting seemed to go well and it was really good yet again to see new faces at the event. My only hope is that those new people got some value from the event, other than the breakfast. I felt sorry for Edd, who once again woke with more cold symptoms and was feeling very rough, he did however soldier on to the end of the official event. We ran a short workshop at the end of the event which seemed to go well too. I really enjoy these events and seeing new people and businesses. 

We got some really good feedback during the event and some really good ideas on things that our customers need and want from the platform going forward. For me this kind of feedback from real life customers is worth its weight in gold and I will certainly be looking to make the changes that mean so much to our all important clients. I would like to take this opportunity to ask all our clients that read these blogs to please take a little time to write to me with your wish list for ipatter, I promise you each one will be taken very seriously by me. Thank you in advance:).

At the end of the event I had a meeting with some of the troops to talk through a few issues that we need to be addressing and then headed off into the city to run a few errands. After that I headed for home office to carry on the good fight from there, for the remainder of the day. On the way I made a few more calls and spoke to Oli, who again is doing a great job for us and keeping me up to date on all the figures, well done buddy! 

My challenge to day has been one of leadership at all levels of the business and this got me thinking about some of the early leadership lessons I learnt. These were always very powerful, many were learnt in the Army, where decisions made could mean life for death for people around you and for that reason, these were always lessons well learnt and always remembered! 

My tips for the day:

Leadership is not an innate trait that you're born with. It can be learned. The key, my friends, is to practice before you have the official title. Here are some tips for you aspiring leaders to get you up to speed:

• Focus on your choices – Start the process by focusing on the choices you make now, such as who to put in your team, or what supplier to use for your project.

• You don't know it all – Recognise that you more than likely don't know all there is to know. Making decisions based on incomplete information is a skill that every leader must master. Once you've acted review and ask yourself: was that the right decision. 

• Could you have done something  differently – Ask yourself, could you have done anything differently? This will get you comfortable with making decisions, acting upon them and reflecting on their outcomes.

• Mistakes are inevitable – Learn from your inevitable mistakes, so you can build on your existing knowledge and skills as you work up to larger decisions with broader consequences that all leaders have to make. 

Oh and please find and use a mentor to help you on your journey and remember event the best in the world use mentors so why should you be different? 

In the end I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I have been meaning, for some time, to send out periodical newsletters to the team to keep them in the loop on things and decided there was no time like the present. I set about designing a newsletter and included the new incentive scheme as the subject matter for the first edition. I decided to call it "Sales Jolt", it seemed to fit the purpose. I spent most of the morning working on this project. 

I had to stop short of completing the task as I had to leave the office and attend a meeting in Norwich at 1300. It went well and I found it most enjoyable, I think I have just volunteered for something. Watch this space for more later!  After the meeting it was time to head for home and try to finish the newsletter from the home office, without the distraction of phones. Well that was the plan, but I ended up talking to a few businesses, needing a bit of help.

It's really interesting the amount of time I spend explaining to people in business the importance of not losing sight of the bigger picture by getting pulled into the daily battle of business and getting lost in the detail of now. That's not to say the now and the detail isn't important, it's just about keeping that all important balance as a business leader. The thing to remember also is that none of us are beyond 'falling off the wagon' from time to time and I certainly find myself doing that from now and again. 

My tips for the day:

Most leaders will recognise the need to think strategically about the future, but many fail to dedicate the proper time and attention to doing it. Thinking about the big picture is not as simple as clearing your calendar and turning off your devices. Here are two things that I find always help me in this quest:

• Clear the decks – Don't try to do everything. Say 'no' to administrative tasks and unnecessary meetings. Ask your team for help so that you can find the time.

• Percolate – Think of the last time you had a great idea. Were you under pressure? More likely it came when you gave it time to 'gel'. Don't force ideas; give yourself time and space to ruminate.

I got an email from Andy who I know is having a great time on his holiday, he just wanted to let me know he was still there to help if I needed any. It was nice to hear from him and I'm looking foreword to seeing him again on his return to the UK. 

The planning for the new system for our sales team is making good progress and I hope to be able to share all the details with the team during the week. I just have one or two adjustments to make before it's fully fit for purpose and I hope it has the desired effect, of motivating and rewarding in the right way. Fingers crossed!

I want to increase core prospecting activities and am thinking about a lead generation system for the business too, probably email based and supported with some telesales. Loads to think about and even more to plan and execute, watch the space!

I'm going to spend the remainder of this weekend working again on the re-write of 'Mind The Gap', I am quite pleased with the progress I am making on this project and it really does come as a welcome break to the day job, I find the writing very relaxing.

My tips for the day:

Email is the primary mode of first contact these days. I think many cold-call emails go without reply. whether you are reaching out about a job, s sales enquiry, or just making a networking contact, here are are four ways to get the response you want:

• Personalise - Don't send generic email all about yourself. Focus on what you and the recipient have in common. Mention the group you found them through or something specific you know and admire about their company.

• Demonstrate value – What do you have to offer the recipient? Be upfront about what you can give them and why they should respond.

• Include a call to action – Tell them what it is you want them to do: email you back, set up a call,of forward the email on to someone else to progress the project.

• Keep it clear – As with all email, make it clear, articulate, typo free and to the point. That's my biggest challenge due to my dyslexia!

We went through aspects of marketing and strategies. Edd took over at lunchtime, once he had made sure all the sausage rolls were on his plate, he devoured them quickly, insisting afterwards that the caterers had not included them in the lunch this time! Lunch compete he started the training on the admin system, leaving me free to return to the office and continue with my ever present and growing 'todo' list. 

As the afternoon progressed I took a break and prepared the other whiteboard for installation on the wall, as I've often said, you can never have enough whiteboards around the office! Aaron called later in the afternoon for some technical support while he was with customers and it came as a welcome break, as did the occasional tweet .

I had a meeting this afternoon with a local business who were looking at ways to enhance their presence not just as a business but as personalities within the business to give them more depth to their brand. I personally think this is a great idea, however once you start this journey you have to continue with it. We looked at a number of aspects and ideas. I even got to use one of the whiteboards too! This meeting got me thinking and so I decided to spread the word in my tips today. 

My tips for the day:

Everyone in business at a senior management level should have a personal brand these days. But if you want to move ahead of the crowd you need to do more than the rest and be seen as something more than just your job title. Distinguish yourself as someone with truly a unique perspective respected inside and outside your business. Here are three ways to do that:

• Build your online presence – The internet is a perfect place to start showcasing your knowledge. Post comments on blogs, write your own posts, and connect with the other bloggers to create a network.

• Win she awards - Identify awards that matter in your industry and don't be afraid to nominate yourself, or convince a colleague to do it for you.

• Flaunt well thought-of affiliations  - Your associations aren't always in your control but if you have a degree from a top school or testimonials from important people, display them prominently. Credibility by proxy is valuable.

After the session a quick shower and off to the office to prepare for, what turned out to be, a much smaller affair for our induction. Two of the people we invited decided, at the last minute that they were not going to start their journey with us. I can't hide the fact that I am really very disappointed in them. Hey better to find out now than after they've started that they're not ipatter people. So the search continues.

I had a few ideas last night, when I should have been sleeping, and today I started the process of seeing them through, or at least seeing if they held water, in the cold light of day. Time will tell on that front. I always like to check and double check the viability, running a mock up test on the bench before trying it for real, always works for me. The secret to all things like this is to research, test, implement and if you're going to fail do it quickly so damage is limited and localised. 

The training today was run by Edd and Richard, given the circumstances they did a fine job, I look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings in that regard. I managed to talk to most of the team today and things all seem to be moving in the right direction which is great news for all concerned. 

We spent some time today talking about presentations to customers and how to deliver these so that they were engaging and persuasive. There are many ways of doing this and we discussed quite a few. These conversations are always worthwhile as they help to remind us all of some of the skills we can forget in the heat of the daily business battle. 

My tips for the day:

Most presentations I see are laden with too much data. If you try to cover too much you are more likely to loose the audience than change their minds, or allow them to see things from the perspective you require. Here are four steps you can take to pull together a presentation that is focussed, relevant and persuasive:

• Work out the question you're answering – Before you start, understand why you are giving the presentation and what your audience wants to know. Establish that question up front and then spend the majority of the time answering it.

• Create an engaging opening – Your opening should be a story or anecdote that establishes the topic of your presentation and grabs the audiences interest.

• Draft the ending – Don't summarise. Instead, give your audience something to do with information you just imported. 

• Put it all together and then edit it down – Weave these three parts together and be ruthless about taking put anything that's not crucial to your points.