Laura Pennington’s Post

It all began somewhat by accident. After a decade as Sales Director, I watched as the company I'd dedicated years to faced closure. In those final moments, a mix of challenge and opportunity presented itself. I had ideas and visions for improvement that I couldn't land with the old ownership. It was a period of struggle, watching something you care deeply about falter before your eyes. Then came the turning point—when I decided to step in. "I think I can do this better," I told the administrators, ready to purchase the assets and IP. It was a leap of faith, driven by the belief that, at its core, the company still held immense potential. December 14th 2021, marks a bittersweet memory, making 180 tough decisions about redundancies—it was one of the saddest days of my life, yet it paved the way for a new beginning. Working through the holidays - an incredible communal effort where the team pulled together amazingly - we crafted a new business plan, aiming to return to the basics that made Kessler's a success for over a century. By January 16th, 2022, we embarked on a new chapter. We decided to focus on integrity. Yes, we're going to try to grow top-line sales, of course. But we're going to concentrate on the bottom line profit. We're going to treat our staff better. We're going to treat our suppliers better. And we're going to try to be a more rounded and better business for it. It's been an incredible journey of growth, not just for the business but for me personally and my phenomenal team. I couldn't have done it without them! And yes, as you might expect, transitioning from Sales Director to Managing Director brought a shift in responsibilities and a steep learning curve. But I saw it (and still do) as an opportunity to become the most holistic and impactful leader I can be. I've definitely got a long way to go still, but every day, I believe we move closer to this vision. Here's to the ongoing journey, the lessons learned, the unbelievable teamwork, and the future we're building together. #Leadership #LeapOfFaith #NewBeginnings #Growth #KesslersLondon

Meet Gaurav Kumar Gaurav Kumar is our go-to guy for smashing seemingly impossible tasks, making him a reliable and confident team player. With six TGIS awards under his belt, his consistent performance and exceptional contributions speak for themselves. Gaurav is also known for his supportive and mature demeanor, always going the extra mile and genuinely caring for his colleagues. To get to know Gaurav a bit better, we asked him a few fun questions: Who inspires you the most? "My father, without a doubt. He's a self-made businessman who built a successful enterprise from scratch. His journey taught me the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and strong leadership." What's your favorite thing about your workplace? "I love the collaborative and innovative vibe at Fly Homes. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and working on groundbreaking projects is what gets me excited every day." What do you enjoy doing outside of work? "I unwind by playing cricket and helping out with my family's business. Plus, spending quality time with friends and family is super important to me." Gaurav's exceptional qualities and contributions make him a true asset to our team. His journey is an inspiration to us all, and we're lucky to have him as part of the Fly Homes family. #culture #bestemployee #bestperformer

Leadership, flexibility, and a dash of humor—key ingredients for success! Our rock star Chief People Officer, Camie Shelmire, recently sat down with Rose W. from Meytier Inc. to reflect on her professional journey and discuss the secrets to successful career transitions. From the business forefront to HR genius—Camie's story is a testament to the power of adaptability in #career growth. https://lnkd.in/gJHSQ4X5

I learned so much today from HireEZ's "For Recruiters by Recruiters" online conference! What a fantastic group of sourcing and recruiting professionals! Hopefully this is something that continues long into the future. #alwayslearning #ilovemyjob #talentsourcing #talentsourcer

#MotivationalMonday Don't fall for the illusion!!! The peak of success is just the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath is the real journey—focus, persistence, rejections, criticism, failure, sacrifice, hard work, and risk. These unseen elements are the foundation of every achievement. VPWS hopes you can embrace the challenges this week, knowing that each step, no matter how difficult, leads you closer to your goals! You SO got this! #VPWorkforceSolutions #VPWS #Recruitment #HireExpectations #BeyondTheBoardroom #Careers #Opportunities #Jobsearch #ClientServices #ClientRelations

Finding the right team is NOT always easy. It is in fact, very difficult. It's important to take care of everyone and provide opportunity. In our case, we have been blessed to help provide many opportunities for folks along the way that they've never had. The overwhelming majority were able to find themselves quite a bit, build houses, families and better lives. Many earned over 6 figures. We paid attention to so many, when no one else would and we're proud of that. Along the way, people come and go. That's life. We outgrow them, or they outgrow us. Sometimes, the hardest decisions possible have to be made that are in the best interest of our Team, our Clients, our Partners, our Present and our Future. Sometimes its not just a fit, in terms of meeting our values, standards and having the same philosophy. We must always work and strive as a team to be exceptional at all that we do! Those that come and stay with us, they have chosen to be different. They have chosen to be incredible teammates. Honest, Caring, have each others best interests at heart. They choose to never cause drama, or difficulty for those around them. Ones actions can affect so many and because of that, many are no longer with us. Whether its someone who is a month long or years long, the same standard is applicable to all. Here, there is no beat to ones own drum. It is a collective drum, that we beat for the greater good, for each other, for our families and those of our Clients and Partners. There is no say one thing and do another. We are all accountable for what we say and do. That is exactly what sets our current group apart. It's so important for any business, once we all finally find a great mix, to nurture it, grow it, recognize it, commend it, reward it and cherish it. We are all in a war for the best talent around. We love our new direction. It was needed. We are all excited and we think the future is incredibly bright! Not just for us, but for future team who have full buy in to what we're doing! Amanda Reisbig Hailey Henehan Catherine DiPonio Burkhardt #team #family #accoutable #changemakers

6 months ago, Sarah wasn’t sure she should take the leap into a new role as a Registered Manager in children’s residential care. She hesitated, held back by familiar feelings of imposter syndrome, wondering if she was ready to lead a team and make an impact at that level. Today, Sarah isn’t just thriving—she’s excelling. Her commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable children has not only changed their lives but also transformed her own. She’s gone from a £42,000 salary to £60,000, but even more valuable is the impact she’s making and the praise she’s earned. Her employer recently said, “Sarah is the best Registered Manager I’ve ever hired.” Sarah's story is a reminder: sometimes the biggest rewards come when we push past our own doubts. 🚀 Whether you're starting out or at a crossroads, know that success is waiting when you decide to believe in yourself. #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ResidentialCare #Inspiration #RegisteredManager #SuccessStory

Wates Group marks a significant moment in its 127-year history as it witnesses a turnover exceeding the £2bn mark for the first time. Strong performances across all sectors, resilience in the face of external challenges, and an encouraging increase in profit paints a promising picture. Discover more about their success, ongoing projects, and CEO's take on their performance in this article: #WatesGroup #BusinessSuccess

Joining today for a better tomorrow. The key to success in real estate and business is teamwork and collaboration. When we connect and help each other, we go further, faster. Think big, partner up, and watch your opportunities grow! #RealEstateSuccess #TeamworkWins #BusinessGrowth #CollaborationOverCompetition #NetworkingMatters #InvestmentOpportunities #MortgageLending #EntrepreneurMindset #PartnershipGoals #ThinkBig #SuccessJourney #LevelUpTogether

I’ve been in the workforce for over three decades now, and had I stayed with Abbey National (Santander UK) from day one, I would have reached my pension maximum by my 50th birthday! This week my son was reviewing his course progress as part of development in his current role. I found myself counselling him on his journey, and it made me reflect. In the early stages of my career, I was fortunate to encounter a welcoming environment and numerous opportunities, thanks to my first branch manager, Des Houston. His approach influenced me to always view people with an open mind and to identify their unique qualities - the aspects that drive them to exceed expectations. This perspective became an integral part of my DNA as I embarked on my managerial journey. However, it was not until I assumed my first senior role that I began to realize that no matter how much we strive to achieve and how much we expect from others, there will always be individuals who exploit our trust, optimism, and enthusiasm. During this period, I started to question myself. It was the sage advice from my mentor at Abbey National, Alfred Langley that brought clarity. He gently reminded me, “You can’t always look for your reflection in others; you have to accept that not everyone is wired the same way.” As we age, we learn three valuable lessons, even if wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age: 1) Don’t take anything personally. 2) Concentrate on what only you can do and guide your team to focus on their unique abilities. Look for what makes them unique, not what makes you unique. 3)Stay true to your journey. Even if you deviate from your path, always have your compass ready to guide you back. As I sat in the office with Stephen Tait and Louis Anderson and he submitted his course review, I hoped I'd done half the job Alf and Des had done for me. #open #leadership #ownyourperformance #choices