As we enter February, we have decided to dedicate our time towards reflection and
realignment, as we draw inspiration from the Year of the Snake. I have decided that it’s
a perfect time to pause and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. The
snake’s symbolism of transformation urges us to shed old habits and embrace new
beginnings. Just as the snake reminds us to trust our intuition and uncover hidden
truths, I will take this time to reassess our strategies and align our goals with our core
values.
So, what does that mean for P&M in February
More writing: Less content
In this period of reflection, the focus will be on time for self-care and emotional
renewal, creating a nurturing environment for creative exploration and innovation.
Repurposing content isn’t for me, writing always with a CTA in mind is exhausting. I
have a great team around me to support with all of this, I love our brand and what it
stands for, however, for now, I plan to pause, recalibrate and just reflect on the habits,
focus on our values and take the pressure off to just continuously show up. I love
writing and the creative process behind Espresso, unfolded over months, was research
based, connected people and conversations. Question is, what do you enjoy receiving
from us? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Beauty lies within the layers
As I take P&M on this journey, I invite you to join me. How can you draw on the wisdom
and resilience of the snake to guide you through a year of growth, renewal, and
discovery? Embrace the analogy of the layers of a peony flower! Just as the layers of
the peony make up its intricate beauty, our experiences shape who we are. Each of us
develops differently, and it’s okay to work through those layers, continually evolving
and transforming. This year, I would love to hear your shares as you celebrate the
ongoing process of growth and change, knowing that all our paths are ever evolving
and full of potential.
Are you ready for change?
At P&M we will continue to stay informed about the Employment Rights Bill, as
changes are inevitable in 2025. Our goal is not to overwhelm you, but to keep you
aware that change is on the horizon. We’ll highlight the most immediate areas to
review, ensuring you are prepared and informed without feeling inundated.
Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act: Coming into force on April 6, 2025, this act
provides employees with a day-one right to take leave if they are the parent of a baby
who needs neonatal care. Employees can take up to 12 weeks of leave, on top of any
other leave entitlements.
National Minimum Wage Increase: Effective from April 1, 2025, the National Living
Wage (NLW) for those aged 21 and over will rise to £12.21 per hour. The Fair Living
Wage is £12.60 per hour (£13.85 per hour in London).
Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: This bill will introduce ethnicity and disability pay
gap reporting for employers with 250 or more staff. It will also allow workers to bring
equal pay claims based on race or disability, rather than just sex.
As business leaders, we understand that you may not have the internal resources to
manage these changes. That’s where we come in! This month, we’re attending CIPD
events focused on neuro-inclusion, HR Breakfast Meetings with Machins Solicitors,
employment law webinars, and engaging with a wide, knowledgeable HR network as
we plan for the incoming changes.
A common conversation I have with founders revolves around managing people risk.
This isn’t meant to incite panic but to highlight the importance of investment versus
cost. Managing people is complex, and tripping up over the basics can be costly and
we much prefer to work with you getting the foundations in place rather than having to
unpick the people pickle.
The Peony Community
As part of my ongoing personal development, I am a member of the IPA, this involves
mentoring and supporting current students, supervision, and ongoing upskilling. With
over 120 coaching hours in less than 18 months, I am confident becoming a Master
Intuitive Psychology Coach was the right path for me. Historically, I sought more; more
knowledge, new ideas, new personal exercise goals, and professional targets. I
absorbed everything like a sponge but realised I was neglecting to listen to myself.
As IPA so beautifully states:
YOU DON’T HAVE AN INFORMATION GAP, YOU HAVE AN INTUITION GAP.
I have coached both corporate clients and individuals. While there are common
themes, the most frequent one is listening—not to others, but to yourself. Your gut
instincts, your heart’s desires, those persistent thoughts nudging you to pay attention,
and the signs you keep seeing but ignore—these are your superpowers. By creating
time to look inside, you invest not only in yourself but also in those around you.
This is exactly why I am confident the Peony Community will be a place where people
find meaningful insights. Through coaching, these lightbulb moments will inspire you to
seek further information, not haphazardly, but with purpose and be driven by a more
effective and productive mindset.
Work with Us in 2025.
Our focus is on connecting with clients who care about their people. This means investing in experienced, knowledgeable HR support. We know times are tough, but employment law is complex and managing and understanding people is nuanced. We can work as retained services, working longer term alongside you or project based, helping you unpick your people problem and providing solutions.
So, you may see us less over this month popping up on LinkedIn and Instagram, but
don’t worry, we are still here. Diary is open for coffee and chats, connecting at events
and you may spy me in a coffee shop or two getting my creative thoughts flowing.
Alice
Peony & Magnolia