The Creative Pods offer an exciting opportunity for new and established businesses to meet and engage, share ideas and develop both professionally and personally over nine months. The sessions are held at the Scarborough’s creative hub, Woodend.
The pod concept was formed in 2009 (with the first group starting in September that year and finishing in May 2010), by the internationally renowned business communications consultants CGA Management.
The aim for each year is to support local and regional entrepeneurs along with established businessmen to set-up and achieve goals that will allow them to expand and develop their respective brands with the help of CGA, themselves and each other.
Each meeting begins with specific themes so that the pod members can look at their skills and examine their business in a variety of ways within a relaxed environment over the course of three hours and have an open discussion on how to develop specific aspects further.
During their time at the pods, the first group dealt with a variety of topics including personality relating to business, marketing and finance. The goal for the host (CGA Managing Director, Christina Griffiths) during session-time is to deal with the group’s questions and problems as relating to various challenges by using her own experience, management skills, advice (issued by herself and other group members), and even meditation.
The first pod finished last month and we wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from the first group. Photographer Graham Shackleton took part in the pods to develop his brand and gain more clients. He said: “It certainly benefited me on a personal level and I am incredibly interested in the physcological element of business now as well.”
York-based film-maker Mike Leigh Cooper was able to use the pods to form new relationships. He said: “I am looking forward to working with other group members in the future and getting them involved with my business – the pods have been great for networking.
“The pod has given me renewed confidence in myself and what I do. I also believe that the pods can support people and their goals no matter what level they happen to be at in business.”
For more information click the links.
Words: Dom Smith / Images: Graham Shackleton
