Month: April 2018

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Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday… with my friend, Amir Khan.

Usually, I do my ‘Throwback Thursdays’… on the first Thursday of the month. However, next Thursday… (3rd May)… is my birthday, so I won’t be publishing anything on  my blog, as i’ll be taking the day off…

So, Bal… you’re now going to tell me, you’re friends with the boxer Amir Khan and want to share a conversation or two, you’ve had with him?

Yep 🙂

 

Back to a time, when I was at Amir’s gym in Bolton. Sitting in the ring, talking about boxing, cars and other things… but I don’t want to share all that… what I want to share is, how he’s taken time out, re-focused and come back!

Couple of things I wanted to relate what’s been happening with Amir and the business world.

  1. Things not really happening…

We know, it’s been a while since Amir had a fight. Good fight. And won it convincingly. And there’s a number of reasons for that…. there’s been a lot in the press about him… his family… his wife…. etc… and he sent tweets, which, maybe he shouldn’t have.

You could say, it’s been a difficult time.

Relating to business – this can happen. When things aren’t going your way. Customers leaving, business not going well… you, as the main person are not in the right frame of mind…. etc… so what do you do? – sometimes you need a break. Sometimes, you need to gather your thoughts. Go do something different. Go into the ‘jungle’… steal some strawberries and make new friends.

2. It’s all about the People

Amir has a new promoter. New trainer. And this has given him a new lease of life. He’s even said in an interview recently, how he’s doing things he didn’t know… or was not aware previously… he’s feeling refreshed.

Same in business. Have you got the right trainer? – I’ve spoken about mentors… Have you got the diversity in the team to make you think differently and/or get you doing things you hadn’t known or were previously aware of.

These are my main two points I wanted to share… from watching and seeing what Amir has been doing for a few years…

… wouldn’t it be great, for him… to have a match with Brook! Who knows… if he beats him, who could he face next?! – is he back… being bigger and better than before?

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A Million at 16….

I thought, it’s been a while since I’ve shared with you a good questions and answers interview.

So, I decided to reach out to someone young… someone rich… someone who’s made it… and someone who’s really helping others. I suppose, most importantly, someone you can learn from.

Dhillan Bhardwaj.

Started a clothing brand when he was 16. Making a million within a very short space of time. Had superstars such as Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and many more reach out to him…

So, I decided to ask him a few questions…. Enjoy!

  1. When you were younger, did you think you would be so successful? – and who has been your biggest influence on your journey?

When i was younger i was already told i would be working for the family. of which i didn’t enjoy at all. It was car mechanics, cleaning, just boring shit that i don’t think i really wanted to do for the rest of my life. So no i didn’t think i would be anywhere near successful with my own self. My influences were nobody, nobody knew what to do when i had the idea, clothing isn’t anyone’s strength in my family so they were pretty lost with it all lol. But my mum and dad used to guide me and advise me, most of the time i probably didn’t listen but i think it’s ok to break the rules.. sometimes. Oh and my sister was everything to me, my 4 sisters Kd. Rickee, Nikki & Monica helped me when i reached my peak when i started. 

  1. What do you think is your biggest threat? 

Myself, my mental mind is my biggest threat. I try and think positive as much as i can, be nice to everyone,always have good vibes. It takes a second to think or do something wrong and then everything is left in your hands. People assume other brands threaten me in the industry, but i don’t have time to think about other people. i stay in my own lane and do me, im way to busy to think about what someone is doing. I know for sure i have inspired a huge amount of start up brands because they use my ideas and designs. But they won’t credit me, i dont mind i just think with that kind of attitude, don’t expect to go far.

  1. How has technology helped you and your brand grow? 

When i started it was amazing, it was free to use. but now you have to make Facebook etc for your posts to be seen by everyone who follows you, which is shit because people can’t afford to do that which is why a few brands fail. SOCIAL media is everything to a start up brand.  

  1. If starting again, what would you do differently? 

nothing. if i made changes maybe i wouldn’t be where i am today. 

  1. For all those, who look up to you… and want to learn from you… what is the one bit of advice you would provide them with?

you’re gonna get rubbish days, weeks maybe months. Don’t let that stop you from reaching your goal. It takes alot of time. Stick with it and success will come your way. 

Wow!… what a guy. Hope you enjoyed it… and are able to take some of the great insights that were shared!…. For me, it’s the last one. Stick with it and success will come…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

0-100…. real quick.

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How many sacrifices have you made?

I was talking to a start-up, last week… whom shared with me, that one of the core team members was giving up his job at Ikea to concentrate on the start-up.

That’s great news! – I said.

Then we had a discussion about… what is needed, to be successful.

There’s various elements – but it comes down to a few things. Which i’m not going to discuss here, but we did establish – being totally honest, there’s a minimum cost of living that’s required. A minimum amount of money they’ll need to make to survive. And they’ll make the necessary changes to their lifestyle to reflect that…

And, you know what… I believe them.

Now, not everything is going to be easy. I’ve known these guys for a year or two… and it’s not been easy. There’s been some ups… and some downs.

Bit like sport… some you win, some you don’t.

But the key thing is you learn.

People can teach you – but until it happens to you, until you actually experience it… then you’ll really appreciate it.

Now, i’m going to be honest. A little sad he’s leaving Ikea, was hoping to get a discount on a new home office desk I was looking at for some time.

But anyhow… it’s great that they’re focussing. And that’s the key thing here. Focus.

If you know what you want…. then you’ll most probably do anything, you can… to achieve it.

Take Elon Musk…. and this infographic… (did you know, he showered at YMCA and slept in his office!)

Sacrifices. That’s what it comes down to. What are you willing to give up… what are you willing to do… to achieve that dream of yours.

Now, i’m not suggesting you all start sleeping in the office… and showering at the local YMCA. But what I am suggesting is, look at the luxuries in your life… or look at the things in your life, that you’re willing to give up or do without for a short period of time, just so you can focus.

Focus and sacrifice. That’s what it comes down to. Ambition and passion.

I know this start-up will make it. Make it big. Because they’re a) very intelligent, b) have a great work ethic and c) have some really good ideas.

It’s to that point c… they’ll really achieve success. Because when you have an idea… you need time. You need time to develop, work and build on it.

If you’ve got various commitments, you can’t spend the time required. You can’t focus. You can’t win.

I’ve had a number of great ideas in the past. Some really good ideas. Some of them I put into action… and did really well. Some I put into action and… didn’t do so well. Some, I’ve written down… and waiting for the right time.

The right time for me? – well, when I can focus and spend quality time on the idea. Don’t want to rush it, don’t want to waste the opportunity. Will make a few sacrifices to work on them… but when i’m ready.

And that’s the last point I wanted to make. This start-up, have made all their decisions themselves. Amongst them, they’ve decided to reduce the numbers of the core team. They themselves have decided what they want to do… and how they want to do it.

So, do you have an idea? Want to work on it? – look around and think, what are you willing to sacrifice, in order to have time & money to spend on it.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

… just a different animal.

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Are you like Ford or Rolls Royce?

I like cars. From my various Insta posts and Tweets… you may have noticed, I like cars. Fortunately, I have a new BMW… one of those new electric, 5 series.

Now, I do believe in ‘Progress over Perfection’. BMW have done a wonderful job in developing this car. This hybrid car. Part battery – part petrol engine. Definitely a step in the right direction to fully electric cars… like the i3 and i8 that is in the BMW range.

So this got me thinking – are businesses working with a similar mindset?

Every business is different. Every Organisation is different. Why? – because of what their customers want and what their customers expect.

For example, let’s take Rolls Royce… they’ve taken a while to bring out their 4×4 vehicle…

As the statement says – years of development… they are almost ready to launch the first Rolls Royce SUV.

Rolls Royce customers expect something that is of extremely high quality. Something that is very reliable and something that is worth the money they are paying for.

Let’s take Ford on the other hand…. Henry Ford (remember) wanted to bring down the cost of car ownership… and it’s very much, you could say, progress over perfection – which is absolutely fine.

Above shows the great progress Ford have made with the Focus car. Admittley, the first photo is a long time ago… but look at the serious development they’ve made.

And this is fine – you could get a new model, every few years – or when a new revised model, is released.

You could also think of it in terms of Whiskey and Beer.

Beer can be produced quicker than Whiskey. But then, beer can be consumed quicker… than whiskey. Whiskey drinkers take their time, enjoy it on the rocks, mix it… etc… where as beer… is well, beer. (Indeed, there’s craft beer… but the same principles apply).

But isn’t there a middle-ground, Bal?

Yes, yes there is!

It all depends on your customers, and what they want. Also, what you’re delivering.

Take BMW… and their new BMW 8 Series. The old one went out of production some time ago… and they’ve been developing, working… on a new one. And they’ve done a great job, by building some hype around it.

Once again, the people buying the 8 series, are not the type of people necessarily buying the 3 or 5 series.

And this is the point… understand your customers expectations and deliver accordingly. If anything… exceed, if possible, expectations. But only… if you’re able to. Otherwise, you may over-promise… and under-deliver.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Just sometimes…

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Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday… Goodness Gracious Me

Today’s Throwback Thursday, is to a time when I met up with my good friend, Kulvinder Ghir – comedian, actor… and an all around, nice guy.

Now, for those who are thinking… I’ve seen him before somewhere… indeed you have. He was one of the four, in Goodness Gracious Me…

That’s right – the popular BBC Show, really funny show that aired a while ago. He played a number of characters – my personal favorite being ‘Bhangra Man’.

A proven comedian – who had his own live stand up shows.

A proven actor – starring in not only Goodness Gracious Me, but also the recent series of Open All Hours on BBC 1, and many more. He’s also been in a number of films also… including, Bend It Like Beckham.

He’s done some great work over the years. And continues to do so… today.

I met up with Kulvinder, a few years back, at his home in London… we had a good catch up, and there are some things he’s shared with me previously, about his journey which I wanted to share with you…

  1. It’s not Easy – Stating the obvious, right? – We see a lot on social media, photo’s of big cars, luxury lifestyles, etc… but many of these folk, who genuinely have built their careers or businesses, haven’t always had it easy. It takes time. Goodness Gracious Me was hugely popular. But did you know… the struggle behind it… the hours and days of writing good material… and how it first started on radio, not TV.
  2. Have Fun – The guy is seriously funny. In real life too. He doesn’t take many things seriously. For example, I was sat in his living room, and he said – oh I need to pop out and get some biscuits, you make the tea i’ll be back in a bit…. I was like… don’t worry about the biscuits! Let’s sit down… And this behavior transpires into the work that he does. Writing material, for a show… must be hard work, but when you’re with friends, having a laugh… and a joke, time flies by and before you know it, you’ve got some good material! Enjoy what you do. Have fun.

There’s a lot we have talked about. Sacrifices he’s made, how he moved away from home, how he’s learnt from a lot of people…. etc… but i’m not going to go into that. Because the 2 points I’ve mentioned above, are what really makes him stand out – the second one, especially!

So, whatever you do… how ever you do it… and when ever you do it… make sure you have fun!

You can find various clips of the show on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.. but I wanted to share one of my favourites…

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Mother Nature’s Son…

I had a very relaxing Easter. From my twitter feed, you’d have noticed, I spent most of the time eating, drinking… and more eating.

I also, managed to watch some TV. And on TV, there were some re-runs…. of some old sitcoms, like Keeping up Appearances, Last of the Summer Wine and Only Fools and Horses.

For those outside of the UK… and wondering, Bal… what are you talking about, the latter of these sitcoms was… and is, a classic! (Mind you, all of them are – but the latter being more popular)

It was based around 2 brothers… Del and Rodney, who’s only goal in life was to become rich. Their famous saying… “this time next year, we’ll be millionaires’.

They tried their hand to everything… and I mean everything. Every opportunity they were given, they took it and tried it… to make some money.

So, over Easter… the episode called, ‘Mother Nature’s Son’ was on.

For those who remember Only Fools and Horses… it’s the time when they hit big with ‘Peckham Springs’.

Yep – you’ll indeed be laughing… with the memories of that episode.

For those unsure, I’ll run through the story line – then I thoroughly recommend you find the episode online (YouTube, Vimeo, etc…) and watch it.

In this episode, Del Boy becomes a land owner. I say land owner, he… owns an allotment. Now, Del Boy… who’s always looking for an ‘opportunity’ has an idea.

One of Rodney’s friends, has a shop – that sells all naturally sourced products. And is very well connected. Del Boy makes friends with him, and invites him to the allotment, to give advice on what he can do with it.

Rodney’s friend does indeed come down to the allotment, and has a look around – but also notices a fresh spring… which Del, let’s him know.. has been there for ages and is called Peckham Springs.

Uncle Albert provides a sample of it to Rodney’s friend – for analysis.

Cut the long story short – the ‘spring’ was made by Del Boy. It’s not been there for years, but was an idea that Del had, when he saw people paying a lot of money for water in a bottle, he thought if he could have it endorsed by Rodney’s friend, there’ll be money to be made!

As Uncle Albert… (who didn’t ‘really’ take a sample, just poured some water into a sample kit for Rodney’s friend to test) was part of the plan – it all went quite smoothly.

Before you knew it, it’d been endorsed, orders had come in… and Del Boy was filling bottles of water… with water!

The episode was absolutely brilliant!

As my nephew and I watched it… I mentioned to him, there’s a few lessons that can be had from this episode for young entrepreneurs and business minded folk today…

1. Look for Opportunities – Del Boy, was always looking for opportunities. The allotment in this episode, was an opportunity – not to grow vegetables and have organic foods – but to see what he could do, with what he has, to make money.

2. Understand Trends – What’s the latest? What are people looking into purchasing? What can make you money? Understand the latest trends, and be quick to react and make it work for you.

3. Look at your network – It was Rodney’s friend who was able to help, I say help…, in the loosest meaning. Del knew Rodney’s friend could help him test, certify and allow the opportunity to sell water in a bottle.

Nephew, I hope you take these learnings onboard and keep watching Only Fools and Horses…