My recent blog-writing efforts reflect my tired plod towards the end the year. I’ve been busier than ever in 2021 and have not written and published a full blog on this website for a couple of months. I’ve started a few, but not finished them all. Others were overtaken by events. But those I have written have performed better than they did last year.
It’s a fitting metaphor for a stop-start year: grinding, but ultimately good.
Despite the grind, there’s much to take pride from what we achieved this year. We continued to grow as a team and returned to an office in Bristol (briefly). We were delighted to see our client Gravity’s Local Development Order adopted by Sedgemoor District Council after supporting them for more than a year. And I was honoured to collect our first award, when we were named consultant of the year in South West Business Insider’s Residential Property Awards.
With all that’s happened, I’m glad to have found time to blog about anything. It’s an added bonus that people took time to read them. Massive thanks if you were one of those people.
Here are the three posts that had the most views in 2021.
Three most read blogs
#3 Collaboration, not culture wars, will help us return to the office
I wrote this from our summer spot in Scotland in frustration at the government’s silly attack on flexible working. Because you don’t need to be in an office at your desk to do stuff, right?! Since then, I was delighted to return to an office with my team and frustrated to return to working from home – in response to shifting guidance from the same ministers who hectored us to ‘go back to work’ in the summer. Here’s hoping I don’t write another post like this in 2022.
#2 Building trust takes more than soundbites
This January post touches on the importance of building trust and legitimacy, which all organisations depend on – and how spinning to deflect is counterproductive. It contains a touching note from former US President George Bush to his opponent Bill Clinton in 1993. I suspect today’s politicians would not write a similar letter.
#1 Read the room: reasons to support Druidstone’s membership move
This post followed national media coverage of a hotel’s reinstatement of its popular membership policy in response to challenges posed by COVID-19 and the staycation boom. People who run the hotel are lifelong friends of mine, who are trying to make a business work in massively challenging circumstances. They responded brilliantly to those challenges and continue to do so. I’m sure many hospitality businesses will follow such moves with interest. They shouldn’t use Tripadvisor comments as any guide to its merits.
Thank you!
We end 2021 in a similar place as we did the previous year: knackered and hopeful that 2022 will be better. We’ve also continued to learn and can be more confident that whatever is thrown at us, we’ll adapt and cope.
Although predictions are a mug’s game, I’m sure that good comms people will prove their worth again in 2022. Working at all times to deliver as everything around them changes. Being a sensible voice in the room. Advocating the right thing, rather than the thing that looks right. Doing it all with good grace.
I look forward to working with you next year. Before then, rest up and enjoy the rest of the festive break.