Tuesday 21 January 2014

Thoughts from the past (2)



Generally speaking the LGBT community used to be called DINK (dual income no kids). It is not true anymore as there are many couples who have adopted or surrogated children.

The aspect you are talking is obvious: if someone at work has to hide his/her sexuality, this will affect the productivity of the organisation.

To promote a gay friendly image is somehow/sometimes ironic. You either accept or tolerate. Some companies promote and even embrace this image such as PwC and other companies of great impact in the civil society.

Now if you promote yourself as a gay friendly company in a majority islamic community, say in Birmingham's suburb, this will not improve their bottom line...

At the moment the religion/lgbt aspect is pandemic and some companies will have to see what link they want or not.

Generally speaking this should improve your productivity.

Thoughts from the past (1)



Brad,

Being from Belgium where the devise is 'union makes force' I always believe this and getting other organisations together with the same outlook makes us stronger. I chair the Gay Business Association in UK and have started the Gay Professional Network a few years back to make meaningful business and social relationships. I use most of the LGBT websites in UK and we help each others advertising our events.

UK, London particularly,  is possibly the most liberal of countries and yet we face ourself still  with gay bashing and religious behemoth on the gay marriage and other issues.

The key is education, if people are not educated from the start, hard belief perdure. There is an element of fear of the unknown for the uneducated masses, what one does not understand immediately rejects when an educated person will reason and find a solution or an agreement.

I do get calls from people who are isolated and yet have no idea that a street away from them is the place they were looking for. Sometimes people just want to talk and share their experience. I embrace this in my Networkings, I make sure I introduce people who need to meet and never leave someone on their own. I make people at ease.

Let's stay in touch and speak soon.

All best wishes,

Jean-Francois.

Friday 17 January 2014

people attending on 16/01/2014

Adam J. Sykes
Claremont Furnishing Fabrics Co Ltd

Dr Catherine Meads (spoke for the LGBT Consortium)
Reader
Health Economics Research Group
Brunel University, Uxbridge

Darren Hutchinson
Founder
Director
Hutchinson Moss Ltd
Accountants

David Patrick Dominey
Accountant (Semi-retired)

David Williams
Director of Business a Organisation Development
Director Corporate Engagement
Work Based Learning
at Middlesex University

Drew Cotty
Actor/singer

Fabio Pacheco Tavares
Freelancer Promoter and Host
FAB Hospitality & Promotions

Ian Dodds PhD, FRSA
Managing Director
Ian Dodds Consulting Ltd

Jac Papini
Learning and Development
Project Co-ordinator
redr uk

Jacopo Guarnieri
Jacopo Guarnieri Consultancy
Fashion/Media HR Project ManagerSpecialist in Diversity and Inclusion

James Roberts
The List
28GaysLater

James Russell
Partner
Spring Law

John Greager
Partner
Spring Law

Jorge Vence, Cmgr McMi
Independent Consultant
Professional Network Marketer
Arbonne
Arbonne Internationa

Karl Wiseman
Senior Account Executive
Redleaf Polhill

Kyle Whittington
Whittington's Tea Emporium

Lester Waters
Vice President
Managing Director
MSCI
Garrick House

Mario De Bortoli-Jones
Senior Account Director
Lingo24 Ltd

Mazz Image
Creative Director
Palo Alto Media Group


Richard Acreman
CEO
WebMedia360

Rob Okin

Roger Hearing
Writer and Broadcaster
Hearing Things Ltd

Roland Marsden
Schlumberger Business Consulting

Stephen Coote
GBA Co-ordinator
Gay Business Association

Stuart Anthony, DipFA CeMAP CeFA
Independent Financial Adviser
Ce MAP Mortgage & Protection Adviser
Financial Services