Letter of Wishes

Dear Eyeful Family,

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It's a bit of a cliché for founders to talk about their business as a child, but of course, clichés are clichés because they're true - businesses are very much like children. At times, they're demanding, all-consuming and exhausting, and then in the blink of an eye, they're exhilarating, surprising, and a huge amount of fun. 

 

Above everything else, they keep you on your toes.

 

There is one more comparison (at least in my experience) - they make you incredibly proud. It's a pride that grows as each year rolls by, and you witness not only how the business evolves and keeps pushing for bigger and better things but also how it deals with the inevitable bumps in the road that life throws at it. The things that have made Lisa and I so incredibly proud of Eyeful run deeper than the glowing reports from customers or the numbers – it's the DNA of the business that makes the difference. Our secret sauce. Our USP.

 

Writing a Letter of Wishes is a strange affair. It's about attempting (and no doubt, failing) to capture what has made Eyeful such a special business to date to ensure we keep on doing the right stuff. The easy answer is that it's our people – and of course, we wouldn't be going through the EOT process if we didn't believe in the amazing people in the business – but it goes deeper than that. It's about how those same people interact with each other and the outside world. 

So, in no particular order, here are the things that I've observed as being the 'special sauce' that has fuelled our success and need to remain in place in the future:

 

CONTINUE TO RUN THE BUSINESS WITH RESPECT, HONESTY & INTEGRITY. 

The ability to sleep at night knowing you've done the right thing – especially when it wasn't the easiest option – is incredibly powerful. 

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Why? Because it's not easy. It means being transparent with customers, partners and each other. This can be uncomfortable, however, candour delivered with respect and always with the right intentions works every time (if we've worked together for any length of time, you'll have experienced it). The same goes for being honourable in any disagreements – it's about not always choosing the quick or easy option. It's about doing the right thing – every time. 

 

A nice side effect is that it wins you respect and a reputation for integrity, and that is priceless. 

 

Make the right call for the right reasons, and you'll always sleep soundly.

 

KEEP IT FUN, REWARDING AND BALANCED 

Life isn't easy, and work life can be particularly tough. So there will be moments when you need to dig deep to get things over the line – we've all pulled long days at one point or another to get the job done. But don't fall into the trap that this is 'the norm' or remotely sustainable – it's not and should always be the exception to the rule. My tip is to build reserves for when you need to dig deep, and the best way to do that is to have as much fun as possible as often as you can.  

 

That extra 10% comes from working as a team, celebrating the diverse talents surrounding you and having a laugh at the same time. As has been proven time and time again - nothing is impossible when you stick all the Eyeful elements together and then add a dash of humour, passion and elbow grease. Frankly, we're unbeatable.

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So, view every new opportunity to push yourself, shine and at the same time, make sure you have a bloody good time doing it. 

 

REMEMBER: MONEY ISN'T THE ONLY DEFINITION OF SUCCESS

Judge your success – both as an employee-owned business and as individuals – across a range of measures, not purely the numbers. 

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• Think about it in terms of the value you've created for customers and partners. 

• The support you've provided or the confidence you've instilled in a colleague. 

• How you changed the game by innovating and thinking different – the ripple effect can be immense.

• Or relish in the fact that you're part of a business that bends over backwards to ensure you're home in time to do the important stuff. This means seeing friends, being with loved ones, reading bedtime stories or indulging in a hobby – you know what's important. Don't ever forget the big stuff – it's too precious to miss. 

 

Don't get me wrong – the numbers are essential (no numbers, no business!), but as history has proven, when you get the other bits right, financial success will naturally follow (and as an employee-owned business, you will all enjoy the well-deserved rewards). Oh, and remember that nothing's ever perfect, so don't beat yourself or the business up when it doesn't always fall into place. Instead, keep pushing to keep the balance right. We're better at this stuff than we were five years ago, and we'll be even better in five years' time.  

 

So if those three are the behaviours that Lisa and I wish to continue within the new Eyeful, let me conclude by touching on a couple of overarching day-to-day bits that are too important not to mention. 

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• In terms of people, develop them through complete honesty and accountability while ensuring everyone gets the support they need. We've set the bar high - only the best people deserve to be on our team, but sometimes developing the best takes a little patience. Passionately back your colleagues and watch them rise to the high standards we've set ourselves. If they can't or won't, say goodbye and wish them well (but make sure you say goodbye). 

• Get rid of 'bad apples' quickly (you know the type - those people who revel in negativity, take pleasure from dragging others down or willfully throw obstacles in the way of the greater good). Eyeful is powered by positivity, so it is the responsibility of everyone – not just 'management' – to fiercely protect the incredible culture you have built. 'Eyefulocity' is too special, so call it out if you see unfair negativity and bad vibes raise their ugly heads.  

 

Bonus tip: Reinforce these three behaviours daily. When they become hard-coded into how you work, they become hard habits to break. It will ensure you and your business are invincible. 

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Like I say, businesses keep you on your toes. Eyeful is no different, but we have one huge and very unfair advantage – you. As Eyeful becomes an Employee Owned Business, it's time for you to enjoy the ride and continue to evolve Eyeful to levels Lisa and I could never have dreamed of. 

 

You're going to smash it.

 

Big hugs,

 

Morts x