how I can be useful to the world… And still get paid.
Growth. Purpose. Vision. Passion.
Four words that are commonly seen as critical components for creating the path one should take both in life and in work.
But how do you actually come to define what these words mean for you? And where do you find the space to do it?
In my case, I found it nigh-on impossible to have this conversation with myself whilst handling the day-to-day urgency of being good at your job.
It took the humbling-yet-cathartic experience of being made redundant to force me to consider it, and to find the right tools to be able to answer those questions effectively.
The picture above shows an Ikigai - a very simple exercise that is another in a long line of great Japanese inventions, and literally translates as “a reason for being” - it helped me de-fog my career thinking, and ultimately led to the creation of ASSEMBLY.
And here’s how it breaks down for me - hopefully the lucky few who have made the effort to read this far down can take something from it.
✊ AUTHENTIC, VALUES-CENTRIC BRANDS: Like it or not, from a very young age, I’ve been a total sucker for brands and product affiliated to the world of Sport and Fashion - I remain a sucker, but have now become a more selective sucker: exclusively for brands that are built on an authentic set of values. The world needs more of these organisations that are socially and environmentally-minded - not just for the health of the planet, but for the health of commerce in general.
👟 PRODUCT STRATEGY & CREATION: Like I say, I’m a product obsessive, so when I had my mid-20s “WTF!” moment, I eventually decided that I had to be involved in the creation of product for brands that I love, which led to unmatched experiences with global brands dripping in heritage, and in my most recent role, a real focus on the strategic side of growing a global footwear business for Lacoste - I loved this and humbly reckon I was quite good at playing my part in delivering some brilliant stuff.
🗺️ GROWING A GLOBAL BUSINESS: I also think I know what I’m doing here, having held roles that service a global audience for the last 10 years. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and really understand regional Retail nuances and thus identify specific opportunities to grow a business in Seoul, Seattle and Salford. And some other places.
♻️ SUSTAINABLY COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS: Now, more than ever, the focus for Brands and Retailers is about delivering profit in the right way. It is literally the only way forward, as the classic supply-then-demand model of Retail starts to fail all around us. Through the ASSEMBLY vehicle, I aim to provide those solutions, under the ethos of Better Planet : Better Product : Better Business.
