‘On a mission’ Entrepreneur placed on award short list for motivating bosses into action!
A Birmingham-based management consultant has been recognised for his work in helping some of the regions most biggest employers, to grow their business by using the creativity and innovation of their workforce and local communities.
Joel Graham-Blake, a 29 year-old finalist of the Bham Young Professional of the Year Award 2006, has been short listed for the coveted ‘Man on a Mission’ title provided by the prestigious Switched On Awards.
Joel, an executive coach and motivational speaker specialising in diversity and personal development, says that Cultiv8 Solutions, a business he started and still runs from his home office, has grown from a simple principle of building relationships through active listening and effective communication.
“ Coming from the inner city of Birmingham, there are many issues that I have seen and experienced and lessons that I have learnt,” he explains “ The main thing I have learnt is that achieving goals, in any arena, is based on understanding what the consequences of one’s actions will be and seeking the right advice if you are not sure of the right choice to take.”
Cultiv8 Solutions provides a wide range of services for Directors and Senior managers responsible for implementing both diversity and people management strategies.
“ In the current times that we are in, it is essential that businesses of all sizes, take a serious look at where they are going and how they are going to get there” says Joel. “However, as times are changing, so are the needs of people - the importance of having a job has shifted from a year to year analysis to a day to day one and businesses need to be have an truly inclusive mindset and culture in order to adapt to these changes, or they will die. It is that simple”.
Joel is also in the process of launching a new venture to support the growth of small businesses, through the use of digital media advertising, later this year.
“ Most larger organisations have more capacity and structure to support their local communities but small businesses, that help our communities to grow and add value to our economy, are being hit hard in the times that we are in. Many have little or no budgets to market what they can offer and are often discarded to one side and replaced by those who can get into the face of consumers, more easily. I am going to change all that, or at least offer a platform that provides an open level playing field for all businesses, regardless of size.”
Joel, Winner of the Urban Dreams Award 2006 and a Young Entrepreneur of the Year nominee in 2007, on hearing of his short listed nomination by the Switched On Awards 2009, stated “ It’s a great feeling to be recognised for something that I feel so passionately about. I thank everyone who has believed in me for the past four years, as I built the business from scratch with no financial support from anyone. Its hard work, but moments like this and seeing the positive impact on others, makes it all it worth it!”
Note to Editors:
After spending four years as part of the Connexions Mentoring Service, Joel set up Cultiv8 Solutions in 2005, firstly providing mentoring support to troubled youth in some of the regions inner city schools. He grew the business organically, eventually moving into the professional services sector as a Diversity Recruitment service.
In March 2007, Joel closed down the recruitment side of the business to focus on the provision of business development, diversity, equality training and creative marketing services. He has provided diversity and personal development support to a number of the organisations in the region including Aston Villa FC, University of Birmingham and Aston Business School. He is very active in his local community by voluntary work through mentoring and community organisation support.
Note to editors: For more editorial information/photography, please contact Joel Graham-Blake at joel@cultiv8solutions.com or
07983 991 943
