The Genie's Newsletter - March 2024

Here we are springing into March!

I have been a bit disorganised this month, well disorganised may not be the right word ......... I get everything organised and ready in January so I can spend February with my family, with the best intention of getting back up and running as soon as I get back in March - only to realise that I don't quite have the drive for a few weeks. Note to self - be more realistic as to how you will feel when you get back!

And yes I know I am lucky to be able to spend a month away with my family, I try to hide it by having all my social posts scheduled so it looks like I am working, but yes I generally spend a month away in the sun every February (the negative side of having the majority of our family abroad lol) as I say, I know I am lucky and that I work with businesses that give me this flexibility.

I did learn a few things whilst I was away though - one thing was that people like to moan, it's either too hot or too cold! I thought it was just British people who moaned about the weather, but obviously not.

Anyway I am back and here is the March newsletter - if you want to sign up to the full newsletter - which means you will get access to all my emails (which may not just be financial services focused) you can do so here.

Since getting back I have been considering how best I support businesses and the value that I bring to them. I have had numerous conversations with business owners, not necessarily financial service businesses - who understand compliance, as to how I can support them in their business. There is a whole world of online businesses that are only playing lip service to compliance, which I also help. They perceive compliance a policy, and this is generally done by the lawyers. Like most things the importance of compliance only becomes apparent when things go wrong - like there has been a data breach - help what do I do? Or a client is wanting a refund - what do you mean, there are no refunds allowed!

So it has got me thinking, whilst I understand what Risk Management, and the management of Operational Risk (of which Compliance is one) is, how best do I articulate this to another audience who are still learning about it and how do I best support them? After all I am here to help create the next generation of business - businesses that genuinely care about their staff, and their clients and the industry they are working in and their craft. For those who know me, I don't do hierarchy, everyone has a place in our businesses and everyone has a value that they bring.

It has got me thinking about the value we bring as individuals and to businesses - but more on this another day....

As always the newsletter also looks at the Universal Law that I am focusing on, with this month being the Law of Relativity - it's an interesting law. Whether we perceive something is good or bad is how we feel about it. Like things that happen unexpectedly - if something that happens that is perceived as good then we say its a surprise, if it's perceived as bad then it's a shock.

Like laws - are they good or bad? well probably both as I have seen the results of having no laws, or laws that aren't upheld, but I have also seen the impact of rules being applied without any compassion or common sense - this I hate! I'm all for the spirit of the legislation obviously.

Until the next time.... when I will be a bit more organised.