Keep responding in the best way you can. One day at a time

Image: www.instagram.com/anxiety.posi...

Distinctive Dispatch #30: Putting comms at the heart of leadership How communication supports leadership; celebrating award success; working well with your PR agency; our hopes for the budget, and housebuilding; why campaigns must inspire, not scare.

Also in November's Dispatch, we share:
🏆 Recent awards successes
⚔️ Comms lessons from The Traitors
✨ The latest milestone at The Forum
💰 What Bristol businesses want from the budget
🤝 How to work well with your PR agency
distinctivedispatch.substack.com/p/distinctiv...

Distinctive Dispatch #30: Putting comms at the heart of leadership How communication supports leadership; celebrating award success; working well with your PR agency; our hopes for the budget, and housebuilding; why campaigns must inspire, not scare.

Are you investing enough time in L&D?

I’m halfway through a leadership bootcamp at UWE Bristol. It's a big time commitment, one that initially seemed daunting. But, we all need to find the time and space to grow.

I guarantee you won’t regret it.

distinctivedispatch.substack.com/p/distinctiv...

Wise words @arianne-smart.bsky.social. As we grapple with the productivity puzzle, we should also guard time to think. That's how growth happens.

Also in the Dispatch:
Hopes for the budget
How to work with a PR agency
Things we've seen, heard, read

distinctivedispatch.substack.com/p/distinctiv...

a man in a suit and tie is holding a red and yellow accordion ALT: a man in a suit and tie is holding a red and yellow accordion

It’s been 48 hours since #Eurovision and I’ve had Bara Bada Bastu in my head pretty much continuously. Will it ever stop?! #BaraBadaBastu #sauna

Word of the day is ‘beek’ (13th century): to bask in the pleasurable warmth of the sun.

Also available as a noun, as in ‘I took a wonderful beek today’.

When things feel overwhelming… slow down and just breathe

Image: www.instagram.com/headspace

Read this at speed and thought it said Robert Pattinson is the next Pope… 🤦🏻‍♀️

Distinctive Dispatch #25: Can local leaders rise to the collaboration challenge? Our hopes for clear, collaborative leadership; how colleagues stay creative; housing crisis reaches the airwaves; catch our updates from UKREiif.

Early hopeful thoughts from myself and @arianne-smart.bsky.social for local politicians elected to lead following today’s local election results. Personally delighted for Helen Godwin in the West of England. Now the hard work really starts. distinctivedispatch.substack.com/p/distinctiv...

Fuelling creativity in communications | Distinctive Communications Our team share the everyday habits and rituals that help us to stay inspired – and make inspiring content.

Finding space to think and nurture creativity can be challenging with a demanding to do list and an always-on culture.

But, creativity is vital for what we do.

Distinctive colleagues have shared what keeps us creatively healthy in our latest blog 👉 www.distinctivecomms.co.uk/fuelling-cre...

Thinking of starting a petition to make it compulsory to perform CPR properly in movies and on TV.

And another for the correct radio etiquette, none of this “over and out” 🙄

Someone at Tesco clearly hasn’t looked at a calendar today…

I'm looking forward to the April NextGen social with Exeter Chamber!

📅 17 April, 5:30-7:00pm
📍 The Cocktail Club, Gandy Street
🤝 Network and connect with other young professionals
🥂 Tickets include a glass of prosecco and a cocktail

Get your tickets here: portal.devonchamber.co.uk/calendar_det...

Adding this to the list of baby/toddler things found in my pocket while at work to date, which includes:
🧦 a single baby sock
🍇 a packet of raisins
🍼 a dummy

Remember: time spent ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’ is not wasted time

We’re hiring! New PR and content role open to applicants | Distinctive Communications After a strong start to 2025, we’re excited to offer an opportunity for a PR and content executive to join our team.

👋 Come and work with us!

A successful start to 2025 with new clients and projects means that we’re on the hunt for a PR and content executive 🔍

More at the link below. Please do share with anyone you think may fit the bill. www.distinctivecomms.co.uk/were-hiring-...

Always be a little kinder than you feel

Image: www.instagram.com/grace.and.co...

Distinctive Dispatch #23: Curiosity killed the cat. But is AI killing curiosity? The importance of quality connection; tips for engaging journalists; how we make hybrid working work; putting comms at the heart of your business.

🤖 Is AI killing our curiosity?

💞 Are digital channels diluting the quality of our relationships?

Our Distinctive Dispatch newsletter this month dissects whether we're becoming more isolated in a connected age. distinctivedispatch.substack.com/p/distinctiv...

How to work with business media: a journalist shares five tips Our Distinctive Discussion with South West Business Insider's Colette Flowerdew-Kincaid gets to the heart of good media relations.

Last week, I hosted a webinar with Colette Flowerdew-Kincaid on how to work effectively with business media.

She shared expert insights and we discussed strategies to navigate opportunities with confidence.

Read 5 tips on the Distinctive website ⬇️ www.distinctivecomms.co.uk/how-to-work-...

You have inner wisdom, so let your intuition be your guide

Image: www.instagram.com/oliviaherric...

This morning’s dog walk feeling positively spring-like ☀️

Remember: you can do hard things. Keep going

Image: www.instagram.com/happybrainco

To anyone who is able to, this is my quarterly (ish) reminder for you to book an appointment to give blood 🩸 #GiveBlood

Templates from when they were printed forms, perhaps? It’s poor design and frustrating.

It’s #CharteredWeek! A time to celebrate professionals and businesses committed to the highest standards of excellence.
Earning Chartered status shows:
✔️ Broad experience
✔️ Strong leadership
✔️ Ethical commitment
Are you Chartered? Download the #GetChartered kit here bit.ly/3QyOzz4
#CPD #CIPR #CIPREA

Comms and PR roles can often be ones that people ‘fall into’ and that can shape how it’s perceived as an industry. Chartership is a badge of credibility, professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to ethical practice.

If you’re thinking about it, go for it. You might surprise yourself.

My key takeaways:

🏆 You’re only competing against yourself – everyone can pass on the day.

👂 Preparation is key, but listening matters more – my peers challenged my thinking and introduced new ideas.

📈 It’s not just a tick-box exercise – find time to revisit and continually improve.

CIPR graphic with a blue background and the text "Proud to be Chartered." in white. Below, in smaller text, it reads "Chartered PR Practitioner" in white. The CPD logo with a red star is in the bottom right corner. The design includes abstract shapes in blue, yellow, and white.

Today is the start of #CharteredWeek and I'm sharing some tips from my own journey to becoming a Chartered PR Practitioner with the @cipr.co.uk last August ⬇️

“Prioritisation solves a lot of deliberation.”

Sarah Hersh shared these wise words on LinkedIn. A useful reminder when there are lots of plates to be kept spinning 🌀

I’m taking #InternationalLoveYourPetDay as an excuse to share a photo of this good boy 🫶🏼