April month notes
New voluntary appointment, Earth Day books & Triathalon learnings
Time flies when your having fun
Last month marked my 1-year anniversary at Swiscot. So its’ been a little while since my usual month notes format. With Easter holidays and a new hire joining the time seems to be flying by. So this month’s instalment is short & sweet.
If you recently followed me after my IWD post then I would encourage you to check out this other blog from Lindsey on her experience of being part of an online feminist community.
Like what you’ve read so far?sign-up to my sub-stack to get notified each month.
Digital
Salford Industry Fellow
April saw the exciting announcement about my appointment as an Industry Fellow at the Salford Business School! I’m passionate to share my experience to support students career development. Covering my career within digital transformation and now sustainable business I’m thrilled to have the chance to do my bit to educate and inspire our next generation of business leaders. With us being a Salford based business its great to be able to give back to a superb institution within our locality.
Digital marketing margin review
Something that isn’t talked about enough in digital marketing is factoring in marketing costs within overall Gross profit margins. I’ve been reviewing some activity to look at the profitability of certain items when you factor in marketing fees. It’s a valuable activity for you to consider how the package products e.g. into bundles, or also which products to be wary of over-promoting based on the acquisition costs.
Content review process - using microsoft planner
Last month I mentioned I was preparing to onboard a new hire into the team. We’ve been working on setting up a content review process. To try and make things joined up we’ve trialled using Microsoft planner. Which a benefit of the feature is you can embed other Microsoft assets like docs. And you get email/teams notifications as well. We’re still working through some kinks but it’s a great free tool you can leverage within office 365.
Sustainability
Earth Day - talking plastic reduction & lending library
April 22 marked Earth Day. As a group we shared a short video about the steps we’re taking to reduce single use plastic. (See LinkedIn post). As well as providing staff with a lending library of books on sustainability. A great selection of books to help colleagues continue to educate themselves on impacts and actions.
TSA Sustainability recognition
I was also pleased to receive a certificate of contribution from the Textiles Services Association. In recognition of my support and input into the industries sustainability journey.
Materials research from green economy team
I’ve been working with the Green Economy team to look at carbon measurement for textiles processes. And its exciting to see a great framework coming together of research studies that give indicative metrics for various manufacturing stages, for a variety of different materials. More data we start to ask for across our supply chains allows for more informed conversations on efforts to decarbonise manufacturing.
Achievements and recommendations
Reading this month
This Much Is True - Mariam Margolyes (audio book)
Another audio book from me! I’m really getting into biographical stories with the person as the narrator!
Miriam’s book is a enlightening and entertaining story of an expansive career in performing arts.
If you’re after a fun and engaging read I’d highly recommend;
The majority of the book is very much memoir style with lots of funny anecdotes about her career!
Achievements
Second Sprint Triathlon
Last September I shared about taking part in my first sprint triathlon. Well April saw me attempt my second. I say attempt as I didn’t complete the full 6k run which was a shame. I’ve shared a bit more about it on LinkedIn. But the experience has motivated to step up my training plan and look at getting a road bike. I am enjoying having a physical challenge to focus my training schedule. As well as the health & wellbeing benefits.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my month notes. I post a summary each month of the key insights across Digital, Sustainability and some personal musings including recommendations of what I’m reading.