Water off a ducks back columns...

Water of a Ducks back is a new EADT business column launched by Apparition Marketing & Designs founder and director, Rachel Ducker.

Rachel, who was named 2009 East of England Young Businesswoman of the year, provides an insight into her approach to doing business a little differently.

For more information and to view the website see Water off a Ducks back - Rachel Ducker.

I have made it onto channel 5...

Last week myself and Gorgeous Star PR Director Hayley Sparkes were lucky enough to be invited on The Vanessa Show on Channel 5 hosted by Vanessa Feltz.

We traveled down to Princess Productions in Londons Queensbridge, to a very snazzy studio situated above a shopping mall  (of all places!)

Upon arrival we met two very lovely people called Keira and Daren who help to organise the show along with Ben Ofoedu (Vanessa's husband and in Phats and Small.) He was a really nice guy, good to know not all celebrities are stuck up.

I have to say the highlight of the day was meeting Gavin and Staceys Larry Lamb. One of the most down to earth people I have come across.

 

So what did Hayley and I do on the show? 

We were asked to give our opinions on the topics of manners and affairs. I have to say it was such a wonderful experience, and good news they want us back. 

Hayley and I will be going back to the studios on 7th April to record another show. Word also has it that the producers are meeting to discuss us both further. Stay tuned... 

To watch the episode on iPlayer click here... Vanessa Show (Rachel Ducker and Hayley Sparkes) and check out us on the Channel 5 website here... Rachel Ducker and Hayley Sparkes - Businesswomen.

I have my own newspaper column!

Just when I thought 2010 could not get any better, just before Christmas I got an email from the East Anglian Daily Times Editor Terry Hunt.

He asked me to come and meet him to discuss and idea he had. Obviously my excitement got the better of me and I could not wait to the next day I went to meet him.

I entered the gigantic home of the EADT politely greeted by Terry who was waiting at reception for me. He walked me up to his office and asked me if I would consider becoming an EADT business columnist. 

I accepted and within a few weeks on the 11th January 2011 my first column was published under the name of 'Water off a Ducks back.'

I came up with the name because firstly it references to my nickname 'Duckey' and secondly in business sometimes you have to go 'ah water off a ducks back, no bother.'

Now to make the column a little different it made sense to write it honestly, I had never been taught business but somehow managed to find my own way into the place I am today. I don't believe in being a conformist in the business world and I love to challenge the stereotypes - so this is what I am doing!

My columns are published every Tuesday and there are even talks of potentially launching a book next year.

So certainly an update for my online entrepreneur diary.

To read my weekly columns you can go to my own official website Water of a Ducks back or view my non-conformist business column at EADT.

Do we work harder for polite clients?

Just recently I have to admit I have had some pretty difficult clients. It seems no matter how much I do I cannot please them so in the long run I choose to just finish the job a quickly as I can rather than go out of my way to help further.

This may be because I usually go beyond the call of duty for my clients anyway but it is something I am noticing as I work with more people.

I have a couple I am working with on seperate projects at the moment and they are simply delightful. Whilst they can send through a lot of work they do it in such a polite and respectful way I cannot wait to help them.

On the other side of the fence I also have another couple who are never satisfied with what I do, which is very hard for me to deal with. I find myself just wanted to finish the project as quickly as possible so that they do not upset me any further.

I guess when it is your own business (your baby) you can probably take things very personally.  Also the industry - thats what you get for producing marketing and design in Suffolk!

Something I will have to work on.

If you have any experiences to share please leave a comment.

This post has been sponsored by climbing frames - The Outdoor Toy Company.

Christmas is coming already?

Where on earth did 2010 go? 

In a year...  I have managed to set up my own company, win an award, move in with my boyfriend, open a second business location, start my second business, start my third business... and oh...

... Oh actually I can now see how time has probably passed me by this year.

But still they say the older we get the quicker the years go? Well I am now thinking how quick will the year go when I am Fifty?

It is true to say that years do feel as if they are flying by, but is that just for those who are busy? In a entrepreneurs mind - things never switch off, but what is it like to be in the mind of someone who can.

If you are this person please comment below and let me know your thoughts.

Until then we will be getting ready to cosy up inside, get out the Christmas Crackers and decorate the tree.

New office!

As you can see from the image above I have been used to a very nice modern office, but now I have moved to Bury St Edmunds I am working from home. However I now have the opportunity to change my home office.

I have been thinking about what to put in my new office in great detail.

What office furniture do I install?

What colours do I paint the walls?

The truth is as long as it is comfy and I feel happy inside it whilst I am working does it really matter?

I am looking for any advice... so if you read this and have any tips I would love to hear from you!

Have we lost our manners?

I have met a few clients recently who all have the same view that some people in business have lost their manners! Is this because they have become too big for their boots? They weren't brought up that way? Or do they simply think they are better than us?

I have to say as a young person in business I believe in the traditional view "treat people how you want to be treated" and I believe if you follow this philosophy surely you can't go wrong...  or can you.

As an individual I feel I have to suffer at the expense of those who do not follow this way of thinking.

For example, I have a client who does not know what they want. Now if the shoe were on the other foot if someone kept working for me until I was happy I would surely treat them with more respect. In fact this client had no communication with me for over 6 weeks then expected me tohave a ready built website for them after getting back in touch one week later.

This would mean making my other clients wait longer and sorry... I will not do that.

In business why can't we just help each other - after all that is what we set out to achieve in business - is  it not?

It really saddens me that some of us have become so selfish and disrespectful.

Though I stick to my mission "to create a business that really cares about people!" and I intend to continue what I have started!