RBW Consulting’s Post

✨ Why is RBW Consulting so special? It's simple – the people. 👌 Anyone can claim they have a great team, but I can confidently say it because, well, I came back! 👋 🏢 During a time of career uncertainty following university, I decided to give recruitment a shot. I thought, I love talking to people (probably too much), this could work well! I quickly realized it wasn't quite the right fit for me, but making the decision to leave proved almost impossible because the people were so incredibly infectious (in the best way!). Eventually, I knew I couldn’t stay just for the good vibes and moved on to pursue a career in marketing. 🚶♀️ However, after being made redundant while six months pregnant (a story for another day🤷♀️ ), I found myself in the daunting position of job hunting after maternity leave. Returning to work post-maternity is challenging enough, but it was at that moment, an old friend from RBW reached out 🤸♀️ . They were looking for someone to lead their marketing team. I dropped by the office for a chat, and as soon as I walked through the doors, I felt that familiar feeling of belonging 🤗 . Fast forward nearly five years, and here I am, still enjoying all the highs of the RBW life! We say (often) that the culture here is like no other, but I do really mean it. Colleagues who have since moved on to new opportunities remain close friends because the connections you build at RBW run deep. The team here is just that – a team. A group of people who genuinely want to see you succeed, grow, and crush your goals. I even married one of them (not suggesting you go that far but further proof they are a bunch of 10s!). 🏆 I know there are plenty of recruitment companies out there, some of which might be bigger or flashier than us, but I can say with confidence, they’re just not RBW. "Life is short" might be one of the biggest clichés out there, but it’s so good because it’s so spot on. Life is too short not to enjoy it. Work somewhere you feel valued. Surround yourself with people who enrich your life. And most importantly, don’t spend your Sunday nights dreading Monday morning! I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s not worth it. ❌ Hopefully, I’ve done enough to tempt you to get in touch (I am in marketing, after all)! But in all seriousness, reach out to our fantastic Associate Director of Talent Acquisition, Brendan Copes. He can give you all the details and probably a million more reasons why you should join us! 🤞 (I did look for some old photos from my previous stint at RBW but they were far too cringeworthy (and children have aged me so I now look like a different person) so here is a (also suitably cringeworthy) team photo of our hands from last year’s summer social!) Thank you team RBW (I wouldn't have my beautiful family without you)! Here's to many more years ahead! 🌱 #WeAreRBW #LifeIsShort #MakeItCount #SurroundYourselfWithPositivity #Culture #GoodVibes #Friendship #Team

A little (long) life update, post quitting my former job 8 months ago, in one of the most volatile job markets I’ve ever seen, to follow my dreams. 8 months ago, I did the incredibly terrifying thing of putting myself first, removing myself from an unfortunate managerial situation, hinging the future of my career on a gut feeling that I could do it- I could make the private chef goal a reality. That meant starting over completely- which was a scary thing to do at 27. That’s the age when I thought I should be climbing the corporate ladder, putting down roots and following the generic “path” one envisions- go to college- check, get a job- check, become a manager- sorta check?, buy a house (lol- in this economy?!), have a family, go on vacation- etc etc. My life didn’t quite pan out so linearly, and I’m glad it didn’t. I moved back home to California from Boston, and began putting in the work. Building my website out further, menu research & development, applying non-stop and learning from the rejections, honing in on my areas of opportunities to become the me I am now. Do you know how difficult of a field it is to break into? You can have the talent, the skills, the personality, the pedigree- but it really comes down to the right person believing in you. Networking is a powerful tool. A lovely individual took the time to get to know me, my skill set, and pair me with fantastic principals and enriching experiences. On my own, I was able to land additional work with client’s beyond my imagination, working in beautiful bespoke mansions with the most prestigious zip-codes to match. I couldn’t believe it- but then…I also could. I deserved it, I earned it, I rated it, I belonged- no question. Something was missing, though. I love food and people, and something I don’t touch on as much is my passion for mental health. From my own personal experiences, to larger initiatives that support chef’s mental well-being (given my career & industry friend circle) and military soldiers mental well-being (given both my brothers & father all being veterans or active duty), it’s a part of my daily life. I was lucky to come across a job listing for a private chef role for a premier facility that deals with mental health in a bespoke manner, and I feel so incredibly excited to say I officially accepted an offer. More details to come soon, but I just wanted to say thank you to those that believed in and supported me these past 8 months. It was certainly not easy, but most things in life worth earning aren’t. I always like to say that I “seek discomfort”, because the more I push myself, the more I become a more well-rounded and evolved person. This was levels of discomfort I’d neverrr experienced before, and thanks to it, I’m a version of Amira that me 8 months ago would be astounded to meet. Thanks for reading, and if you take anything from this, it’s that you deserve what you’re looking for, and you’re never asking for too much. #careerchange #motivation #growth

LONG POST but some of you have been asking what I’m doing now and how I got there. So here goes - buckle in….👇🏼 💖3 months ago, I decided to step away from years of working in the Hospitality Industry 😮 💖This was not an easy decision for me, especially as I worked for Disney previously. It changes your mindset and becomes a staple to who you are as a person. It is natural to embark on a Hospitality career where you are encouraged to go above and beyond, daily. 💖 However, I just wasn’t 100% happy anymore and I just couldn’t figure out why. It wasn’t just that I didn’t have work/life balance (which we know is normal within hospitality sometimes) but I couldn’t put my finger on it. 💖 One factor, was I started to realise that I had been in roles recently where I was training and inspiring others - but found myself questioning - who was inspiring me? I needed more. In addition to other experiences and factors, I made the hard decision to step away and change paths. 💖 Job wise - I didn’t know what I was looking for and felt “lost” for quite a while. It sent me in a bit of a spiral if I’m honest and I questioned myself as a person, where I should be and what I should be doing with my life. 💖 Then I saw a job advertised online where the benefits were SO insanely incredible, I thought it must be Spam. After ignoring it a few times, I decided to apply anyway! 💖 That same day, I had a phone interview AND a face to face interview at N. Family Club, Reading for Front of House Manager. 💖The job role, was everything that I didn’t know I wanted and everything I didn’t know I was looking for. I connected with the Managers immediately, on a different level and just felt bonded - I can’t explain it. 💖 My day is now filled with optional and mandatory training sessions along with variety of job roles. I wear so many hats and I love it! 🎩 💖 I find myself surrounded by staff who consistently surprise and inspire me on a daily basis. 🫶🏼 💖So yes, back to my roots a little bit (considering I have my childcare qualifications👩🏻🎓 ) but I am utilising tools and experiences I’ve gained over the last 10 years with a company who recognises and appreciates me and to whom I can work closely with to exceed expectations for the company! Sometimes going back, is stepping forward in your future. 💖Now, a bit about N. Family for those who have never heard of the company. Firstly, we are B Corp Certified which for those that you know, is super hard to get! Working with leading Early Years experts, NFamily have blended their own unique curriculum, taking influence from a variety of learning philosophies including Reggio Emilia, Bruner, Forest School and Montessori. They were recently named the UK’s highest quality nursery group and believe that their bespoke approach, combined with the learning outlined by the EYFS, supports all of the children to play and explore, be active learners and critical thinkers. I’m so proud to work for N. 💖

I’ve suffered my fair share of career and life setbacks over the years 🤪 At the time you wonder how it all went so wrong and what you can do to salvage the pieces of the wreckage left behind. Leaning into the old cliches of “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” and “Rejection is redirection” may give you some comfort but can also be really annoying when served up by people who never seem to have put a foot wrong in their life! What do they know?! But they could actually be onto something. It’s often only months or years afterwards that we look back and think “If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be where I am now”! Let me give you an example of how it’s been for me on the career setback front. 1997 – Didn’t get the results I wanted from school so ended up enrolling on a college course I wasn’t interested in which unsurprisingly led to… Being asked to leave 3 months in 🫣 I was really upset and pretty lost but this led to me finding a job on Teletext (as you did in the 90s 😆) which led to… Starting work at 17 – the best thing I could have done! Lots of structure and discipline, which was what was needed. 2005 – Had just bought a house and then was made redundant! Back down the ladder again wondering what I was going to do. Luckily managed to bounce back and find a job pretty quickly! The job was working for the local council and led me to finding out about all sorts of community projects which then led me to volunteering at a local women’s refuge. Which led me to…… Finding out that I loved helping people to make positive change in their lives. Which led to….. Me getting a job as a Careers Advisor, then Career Coach, then years later doing a Masters in Career Management & Coaching….. Many years later, cue the pandemic, I lost my job and, what started as a side hobby, led me to helping hundreds of others who had also lost their jobs and were confused about what was next. Which led to me having a thriving career coaching practice! This all sounds like it was an easy transition bouncing from one setback to the next, but in between there was a lot of self-doubt and tears about what was coming next but I managed to weather the storm and come out of the other side 💪 What helped me do this? ➡️ Zooming out and looking at the whole landscape rather than just the individual pieces. Things under the microscope look a lot scarier but by taking a step back you can see how whatever happens, you’ll work it out. ➡️ Getting clear on my unique skills and experiences and seeing where I could apply them to make positive change. ➡️ Keeping an open mind to what’s next. If the path you’re on leads to a dead end, take another one! How have you dealt with setbacks in your career?

Embracing Squiggly Careers- Are you a believer? Dominic Cadbury once famously said, "There is no such thing as a career path, it's crazy paving and you have to lay it yourself" and I truly feel that! Reflecting on my journey through to the travel and hospitality industry, I couldn't agree more. My career has been far from linear – from studying media to diving into the world of Travel, Tourism, and languages, to navigating roles in travel agencies, hotel operations, and sales, it's been a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. In every role and every challenge, I've discovered invaluable lessons and gained a diverse set of skills that have shaped me and sometimes shook me. From coordinating accommodations for Glastonbury talent and the 2012 Olympics and Wimbledon to responding to the aftermath of tragic events like 9/11 and 7/7, crazy Ash clouds and managing the fall out of the 2008 crash. To then leading teams to exceed sales targets, each experience has contributed to my growth and understanding of the industry and business. One epiphany that stands out among the rest is the realisation that people are at the heart of everything we do. It's about building genuine connections and bringing people along on the journey. This philosophy has guided me through my career, leading me to pivot towards roles and companies that align with my values and prioritise people-centric strategies. Yet, embracing a squiggly career hasn't always been easy. I've faced rejections and setbacks because my path didn't fit the traditional mold. But looking back, I see those moments as the universe nudging me towards where I truly belong – outside the box, where diverse perspectives thrive, and innovation flourishes. That's why I'm a passionate advocate for squiggly careers. In an ever-evolving world, where the only constant is change, we need individuals who aren't afraid to forge their own paths, challenge the status quo, and bring fresh ideas to the table. Businesses that embrace squiggly careers and value the unique experiences and perspectives they bring will undoubtedly reap the benefits of a more dynamic workforce. How SQUIGGLY is your career? #SquigglyCareers #EmbraceChange #CareerJourney #DiversityandInclusion #ProfessionalGrowth #HRInfluencer #Hospitality #Careers

It’s that time of year that we usually spend setting New Years resolutions and goals, as well as committing to a dry Jan, only to break it a couple of weeks later! Personally I’m not a massive fan of New Years resolutions, so prefer to do some self reflection and manifestations for the future. 2023 was an interesting year for me. It started off on a high, bringing in the New Year on a private beach in Rio, watching the fireworks go off on Copacabana beach. Followed by a low - the persistent continuation of job uncertainty, eventually resulting in my role being impacted by global lay offs.  Here are a few lessons that I learnt along the way that I hope are helpful to share, and ones that I’ll be using to shape how I’m going ‘into 2024’ 🚀 1. Counting my blessings In navigating the period of redundancy I received advice to ‘not take it personally’. While the advice was ill received, because it certainly felt personal, with time I was able to see that it really wasn’t. Thousands of people were impacted, regardless of tenure, performance and experience. I had to acknowledge the lack of control I had, and with that came acceptance. I gained skills, experience and lifelong friends that I wouldn’t have got if I hadn’t worked for the company. 2. Self Advocacy Transitioning from a role as a people manager, where success was collective, to promoting my individual experience was a process! Dusting off the CV, highlighting my key skills and transforming them into a personal brand/tagline and confidently showcasing my abilities at interview. I would like to continue allocating more time for self development as it’s often the first area to suffer when we are time starved, yet so important in gaining new skills, ideas and motivating us! 3. Being Vulnerable I saw multiple Linkedin posts with the hashtags open to work and have friends and colleagues who were and are navigating the competitive job market. Leveraging your networks and gaining referrals makes you infinitely more likely to secure a job. Yet I was worried that if I posted an 'open to work/redundancy' post it would get lost in the ocean of other similar posts, or that it would come across as inauthentic somehow. Despite my hesitation I’m happy I did, as this ultimately lead to me securing (cue new job announcement) a role as Media and Analytics Manager (DTC) at Zoetis in November! I’ve now moved back to Marketing, and am enjoying working for a company whose purpose aligns to my love of animals. Thank you to our team Shane O Leary, Andrew Gubb, Meenakshi Jain and Camila Sabino for all your support through onboarding and for making me feel so welcome! We are hiring! If you’d like to make a difference to pets and pet owners around the world and have experience in CRM and Content (3-5 years) please drop me a message. Full job details here; https://lnkd.in/e-yskHu8 #reflectingon2023 #professionalgrowth #resilience #newbeginnings #passionforanimals

In my second job, it was a tough journey. Having to adjust there was so heavy. One of the things that was said about me by management during the first months was that I am too quiet even the tone of my voice does not have the vibe for the kind of work I was doing. Weh it was a lot, months went by I changed branches. It was in 2019,a few months to the festive season. By the time I got the new branch it was already known who I was and how I conducted myself. Weh but I told myself ngizosebenza and will do my best at it. The most interesting thing is that even though I was seen too quiet and Meek for the role, even though I was at the lowest rank in the roles in the company. When it was time to choose an acting supervisor, my name was up for the role. I learnt a few months later in the role that one of the managers back then said, "if any of you paid attention more to the work and results she's produced thus far you'd see why this role is perfect for her." Oh maan go work hard in those rooms you call offices, serve those you report to with integrity, work hard for you, your legacy for your own brand and name. Oh go work and let your work speak volumes. Work hard for you, work hard for your own growth. #CareerGrowth #personaldevelopment #personalbranding #networking

As we head into the holidays... Some of you may be thankful to be gainfully employed, Some of you may be thankful for a new job or promotion, and some of you may be thankful to be in transition - looking ahead to new, fresh opportunities or enjoying extra time with family and friends. AND... Some of you may be feeling the struggles of the economy or job market, Some of you may be feeling defeated by a long, aderous job search, and some of you may be feeling anxious or uncertain about the year ahead. It's a good reminder, in times like these, that this time of year is as much about giving, lending a hand (or an ear), and lifting each other up, as it as about personal gratitude. As you gather with friends and family - whatever your situation - I hope that it brings you joy, energy, happiness and hope. LBF Strategies, Recruitment & Career Coaching #careercoach #prrecruiter #careers #jobsearch #thanksgiving2023 #thankfulness #gratitude

#careeradvice I have resigned 5 times so far throughout my career. I never regretted my move then and perhaps in the future. All in all, the reasons are a combination of limited career growth, a difficult environment, limited financial opportunity and aspirations to grow to the highest position possible faster than what the current organisation designed for individual development growth for me. Whatever the reason is, I recognised that I have the desire to grow and not merely wait for my supervisor or superior to recognise my capabilities. For some strange reasons some of my departures created a reaction for some of my colleagues to also leave. I understand the concept of offer and supply and will not wait for supply to be created organically. I have to create value within my ambit and seek the best opportunity thereafter, if not internally, by fitting the vacancy in the industry. This is the area where I will continue to learn and equip myself with work related know how and credentials. While respecting all of my employers, I will stop short of falling in love with them. U never know, when they will abandon U, later in life. Remember, your career is yours and your responsibility alone. Others may feel sympathetic to U, but really, U have to manage your career growth. Still never ever condone to corrupt practices. No matter how difficult the situation is. That's a minute from me.

Updating my friends on LinkedIn. Yesterday my role was made redundant at Crown Resorts, and I find myself thinking about three things. The first thing is how grateful I am for the people I have met and worked with in the past year since joining, at Crown as well across the several brilliant agencies my team and I have partnered with. Many people at Crown and outside of Crown have become dear friends that I will stay in touch with. The work we did and have in motion is fabulous, necessary, and best-in-class. Keep going, please, to make Crown all it can be. And thank you everyone for the past year, I am a better person now, professionally and personally. The second thing I am thinking is, because I am a nerd, all the social theory I have read in my life about capitalism and the relationship between individuals and organisations. By the way, I have a PhD on this topic, kinda. People like David Harvey, David Graeber, even our learned friend Karl Marx. It is a part of the modern world we live in that social connections and our embeddedness can get torn apart easily and quickly for reasons that both make complete sense and make no sense at all, all at the same time. All we can do is control our response. So, my response is gratitude that I have this experience now. I hoped to be at Crown longer, but that is not to be. But I have a year there, which is more than I had one year ago. So, everything is okay and will be fine. The third thing I am thinking is as follows: what headline do I put on my LinkedIn profile now? I’m serious. I’m going to take a little breather, but ‘on sabbatical’ doesn’t cut it. Can I just write ‘human being’? or similar? Or is that too wanky? ‘Research professional’ doesn’t do justice to the massive task of making sense of the world... So, on topic three, here is where I need immediate help please!