The Tara Birch Newsletter #3

May 2024 roundup

Hope you’ve had a great month!

As I dive deeper into the world of balancing my new business with my home life, I’m feeling the pressure of being a working parent more than ever.? Once again, I find myself thrown into the role of ‘entertainer’ for my two girls during half term. The irony of May being ‘Mental Health Awareness’ is not lost on me!?

Still, amidst the chaos, I am excited to see the signs of summer approaching. The refreshing light mornings have become a welcomed part of my routine, allowing me some precious "me" time to plan my day ahead before my girls wake up.

Insights from the latest polls

During the month of May, I conducted several polls on LinkedIn with a focus on Mental Health . It became evident that the journey and experience of an individual, whether in a workplace or personal setting, is crucial for their overall wellbeing and performance. Interestingly, the results showed that 58% of individuals are struggling to manage their self-care, and approximately 50% have either taken or are currently taking mental health medication – and these figures only represent those who were willing to share this information.

One significant issue affecting employees' wellbeing relates to personal growth and professional development support. Many employers are falling short of their promises when it comes to attracting and nurturing new talent. A staggering 69% of employees feel that external branding fails to deliver on the employee experience.

Employers who meet employee expectations are more likely to attract and retain talent, thereby driving overall success for both individuals and businesses.?

As many of you will know, I have developed a deep appreciation for data, and I want to share a few compelling statistics that highlight how investing in employee wellbeing and experience can positively impact an organisation’s success:

?? 87% of millennials prioritise professional or career growth opportunities when selecting a job (Gallup ).

?? 94% of employees expressed that they would stay longer at a company if it invested in their learning and development (LinkedIn ).

?? Employees who are satisfied with their professional development opportunities are 10 times more likely to stay with their company (SHRM ).

?? The primary reason employees would leave their current job is the lack of development opportunities (LinkedIn ).

By focusing on shared personal growth and professional development goals, individuals and businesses can have ultimate success, together.??

Are YOU ready to EVOLVE?

I offer a wide variety of services to both individuals and businesses, or I can bespoke a plan to your specific needs. Why not check out my website , or reach out to me to explore how I can help YOU!

In other news…?

The matter closest to my heart this month was, without a shadow of a doubt, supporting my dear friend Figen Murray OBE in her 200 mile walk from Manchester to London to hand deliver a letter to Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street , in deep hope of him honouring his word on the introduction of Martyn’s Law . It was a wonderful experience to be a part of, and I met some incredible people along the way.?

Throughout May, I was also lucky enough to attend several networking events. I greatly enjoyed dusting off my golf clubs to join the Women in Security Awards Golf Day, at the luxurious The Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. Still, I had to refrain from partying too late into the night, as I needed to be up fresh for The HR Big Meet the next morning in ISH London . Both events exceeded my expectations and I cannot thank my respective hosts Liz Lloyd , Emma Djemil and networks enough for including me.?

Looking forward to the month ahead

Now … this is a first… I have finally accepted invitations to be a podcast guest! I have had countless invitations in the past, and I’m not sure what held me back. So, ring my LinkedIn profile bell to ensure you don’t miss these announcements!

I am really looking forward to joining Nikki Finucan on The Change Tribe Podcast in June. We’ll no doubt be discussing a wealth of terrific topics, and are sure to touch on an incredibly powerful profiling tool that we have been immersing ourselves in. More about that next month.?

Thankfully, June is shaping up to be a quieter month, with fewer events and network gatherings planned. This is an ideal balance for me, as it will give me the opportunity to catch up with the many connections I’ve been making recently. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better, and discussing future potential collaborations.

Let’s go have a jam-packed June full of connections and opportunities, together!?

Tara?