Having noticed from idly glancing at my daughter’s ‘Heat’ magazine from time to time, I couldn’t fail to be aware of something called a Power Plate which is, it seems, the exercise accessory de nos jours for celebs with toned arms, tums and bums.  So imagine my excitement when two Power Plates suddenly appeared in my gym! I signed up for an induction to this strange-looking piece of kit and today was the day.  Hear it first from me (and no, I don’t do the PR for it) it’s BRILLIANT!  You do different exercises in 30 second bursts which means I can probably...

Sometimes, it’s gratifying to note, one’s optimism is well-founded.  After my last post the client who whom I used to work some seven or so years ago has confirmed he’d like me to launch an excellent home insulation product direct to the consumer.  I got the confirmatory call today - and I’ve started already.  More about this in a later post.  More work from my client, Fuld & Company, who are about to launch yet another initiative - I’ve been closely collaborating with PR Consultant, Sherry Alpert, my opposite number in the States.  However, the biscuits are...

…that things are looking up.  I went away last Friday leaving an office with my Inbox almost empty, a silent phone and nothing more exciting than PR Week in the in tray. What a difference a week makes!  The phone has scarcely stopped since I got back in yesterday lunchtime with all sorts of opportunities presenting themselves.  A client I last worked with about seven years ago has been in touch suggesting a meeting to discuss a new project.  An exisiting client is about to launch a fascinating new product based on the Microsoft SharePoint portal and I’ve started putting together...

Whoever coined this new (to me) phrase has revolutionised my social life recently!  I’ve been to pop up drinks, and been to eat in a pop up restaurant (or two). All highly agreeable and certain to become a bad habit! There’s something extremely attractive about spontenaiety - and it’s something that,  in these gloomy days - we don’t get enough of.  From now on, if the spirit moves me, and I’m not eaving an important task undone, I shall seize the moment whether it’s to suddenly go for a swim, a manicure or coffee with a friend. I’ll be there!

 On Tuesday I had a day off and a trip to the National Gallery to see the Sisley exhibition. Small, but delightful. Then to a lovely lunch at Le Caprice – one of my very favourite ‘occasion’ restaurants in London. Food and wine both excellent. Service patchy though charming. But why doesn’t someone suggest that the three or four front of house guys would look a whole lot smarter if they polished their shoes occasionally?

  To PR Newswire’s ‘Meet the Media’ event in SW1 last night. Guest speaker was Matthew Bishop of The Economist who, in between plugging his just-published book, offered some useful insight into the workings of this excellent publication. Hospitality was generous and following the Q&A session we were all invited to cross from one side of Royal Opera Arcade to the other where the photographer John Stoddart’s work was showcased in La Galleria. On the street level of the gallery we played “if you could hang one of those at home which would you choose?” As I wasn’t...

 Got a call from Business Link yesterday doing a quick phone survey to see if the current economic situation had made an impact on my business. ‘No’ - or at least, ‘not yet’. And how did I see my business progressing this year - turnover down, stay the same or up? Definitely ‘up’ I said. And how did I plan to grow my business during the next 12 months? ‘An aggressive new business campaign’ was the answer I chose. You’ve been warned! Meet the editors - what a good idea this is! Was pleased to receive and accept an invitation from PR Newswire...

That’s what the BBC told us about today.  And I must say that with driving rain and a chilly wind,  plus a number of work frustrations, I agree.  All set up for a conference call at 1 p.m. between me and two others, but the phone remained resolutely silent.  A newsletter I’ve been trying to publish for two weeks now remains incomplete for reasons beyond my control.  People aren’t returning my calls. On the plus side, I’m going to my first-ever Rugby International at the Millennium Stadium in March to see Wales vs Ireland.  As a quarter Scot, who shall I support? ...

  Back to the office which is uncharacteristically chilly. The phones aren’t working and my computer crashed within five minutes of booting up. This had better not be a portent.

  The first day of the rest of my life   Today being the 1st of January seems like a good day to start a blog. I’m not one for New Year’s Eve celebrations nor any kind of sentimentalism about the passing of the old year. Equally, I don’t believe that a date on the calendar marks any kind of change.   However, the long Christmas break does give one a chance to reflect and resolve on both personal and professional matters.   On the first front, one thing I am absolutely resolved to achieve is getting our council (LB Hounslow, since you ask) to implement the parking controls that my neighbours...