Artist's Retreat in France

My brother Frank and his partner Julie are fabulous hosts at this wonderful French retreat.

The tiny hamlet of Les Brugues, in the Dordogne (Dept 24) is just minutes from the fairytale Chateau de Biron and the beautiful Bastide towns of Monpazier, Villereal, Monflanquin and Beaumont. Les Brugues is the ideal property for a family or friends who wish to holiday in rural tranquillity, yet be within easy reach of a host of restaurants, markets, tourist attractions and every conceivable sporting/recreational facility.

For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Les Brugues is a paradise. Deer and wild boar abound Bird life is abundant and varied: Buzzards, Hawks, Kites, Barn Owls, Jays Hoopoes and Redstarts are all regular visitors to the garden and the antics of the tiny sun-loving lizards will keep you amused for hours. Woodland walking is a particular delight with a myriad of tree and plant species to be found at every step. During the month of May the surrounding fields are awash with a stunning array of wild orchids.

In September/October, the surrounding countryside reverberates with the sound of the ‘brame’ - the rutting season for the stag population. Often, at sunset, you can occasionally catch sight of these magnificent creatures silhouetted against the skyline.

For further details, contact Julie via the website at: http://www.santefrance.com/

Creative Tactics for surviving the Crunch

In this article, I've focussed on a range of simple tactics for getting through the crunch. At times like this, it's prudent to simultaneously strengthen existing ties and keep an eye out for a few new opportunities.
Strengthen your base, think laterally, be open to new ideas. The history of the universe shows that survival and one's capacity to evolve are very closely linked indeed!

Here's a few things to think about:

• Who are your real fans - people that stick with you through thick and thin - are you staying in touch with them, keeping them up to date with what you are doing?


• Recessions affect rich people far less than those on middle incomes - are you targeting wealthy clients and customers?


• Even during hard times, people tend not to cut back on gifts, special occasions and creature comforts - what do you make or do within this niche?


• Are you keeping an eye on your competitors? If they are coming up with innovative ideas or marketing tactics, you need to be one step ahead - do some research!


• Do you make as much of referrals and personal recommendation as you might? Make sure you leave every customer with business cards or flyers to pass on to friends, relatives and colleagues.


• Are you using your email list effectively? - use it to remind people that you are still around and working, and attach your latest catalogue or provide a direct link to an appropriate webpage - keep the message as specific as possible. Divide your list up and target the message at people's personal preferences where possible.


• Is your network as fresh as it might be? - look out for events that it might be prudent to attend, where you might meet new customers, clients, or others that might champion your work or spread the word.


• Don't be tempted to sell goods and services cheaply - if you are offering discounts, do so for early payment or bulk or repeat purchases - it has to be advantageous to you, and not perceived as a panic sale!


• Invoice other people as quickly as is prudent - cashflow is key when money is tight.


• Set clear goals for yourself - and find someone to share these with - a little bit of support and encouragement goes along way!

If you'd like to know more about coaching, or think it might be good for someone you know, don't hesitate to drop me a line, or call 0141 416 0555 (internet line). To visit the main webpages, follow the 'Quick Links' on your left.

craft&design Magazine - Newsletter

I write regular business articles for craft&design Magazine. They also publish a regular newsletter for makers - if you'd like to sample a copy, then follow this link. The magazine has a big following, and is stocked right across the UK - from Stornoway to the Channel Islands.

They have just asked me to join the team as business editor, so watch this space for links to articles, tipsheets and downloads.

Main magazine website: www.craftanddesign.net

Successful Fundraising - Free Download

I write regular business articles for Craft & Design magazine, and was recently commissioned by Designer Maker West Midlands to write a PDF guide to Successful Fundraising for Designers, Makers and Artists.

I'm happy to share this with you - the link can be found at the top of my coaching page here: http://snurl.com/bvla1

Join me on Facebook

I've now got a Creative Coaching group on Facebook - and I'd like you to join me there. If you have a creative website or blog, and like to contribute ideas and connect with other creatives - join me on the group here: Pete Mosley - Creative Coach/Consultant

The 'Human Givens' - a self-coaching exercise

The Human Givens is a really great tool for checking the balance in your life and work - try it out.

How to use the 'Human Givens'

Open up the checklist here and for best results, print it on a sheet of A4.

Consider each area on the chart, and score yourself from 0-10 in each area - 0 being unsatisfied, 10 being totally satisfied.

It is usual for the scores to vary - however the closer you are to 10 in each area, the more fulfilled and rounded off you tend to be. If you find that you have very low scores in one or more areas, then you need to take action in those areas to bring things back into balance.

A lot of this can be improved on a DIY basis once you are aware of the imbalances. Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on the best solution - which is where a coach can be a really useful 'critical friend'!

Try it out, see what you think..

Ansoff's analysis

Thinking creatively about new products, services and customers.

Ansoff was a clever chap - he devised this really simple grid analysis to help people like you and me think laterally about ways to develop and diversify.

As Jack Trout explains in his book 'Differentiate or Die', we need to keep innovating if we want people to choose us rather than our competitors. Ansoff's is a simple and fun way to think about new things we could be making and doing, and new people we could be making and doing things for - whilst not losing sight of all the great stuff we do already!

Download the exercise, and have fun with it. Better still get a colleague or family member to help - two brains are better than one.

Coaching Podcast #2 Relaxing Birdsong

I recorded this relaxing birdsong whilst staying in a Forest Lodge in Keldy, North Yorkshire, last weekend. I find relaxation tracks like this one are really useful for slowing down a busy brain. If you'd like written information about my coaching services, or a sample coaching call, please drop me a line at pete@petemosley.com


You can download the track for your mp3 player here