Sophie Windatt

Portfolio of Writing

Contents

“Christmas has come early – get inspired at Bell!” 2

As part of my marketing role at Bell I write regular blogs in order to keep customers informed and entertained. This is an extract from a blog describing the delights available in store at our Christmas Open Evening.

“Not to be read on an empty stomach!” 3

After a successful cooking demonstration I wrote this blog detailing the delicious food that was cooked and advertising our upcoming demonstration in order to start generating interest.

“Jotul and Scan join the Bell Family” 4

Two new luxury fires and stoves brands were recently added to the showroom at Bell and I wrote this blog to make our customers aware of the addition and advertise an offer we had introduced on one of the brands. You can read more of my blog posts at http://www.abell.co.uk/home/about-us/blog/.

“The worst thing to be brave about is the tea ration.” 5

I collaborated with a graphic designer to create a custom ration book/loyalty card for Mrs Jones’ Tea Depot on the Isle of Wight. I researched the history of the island and tea rations during WWII and wrote informative copy for the inside of the booklet. The copy is followed by the final design of the rations booklet as created by Adam’s Dezine Shop.

“Hanging on to Generation Y” 8

I did a week’s work experience at Headlines (http://headlines.uk.com/), a world-leading communications agency, during which time I wrote various articles for their website and for comms publications they design and write. This article is about finding incentives to persuade the millennial generation to stay with a company rather than career-hopping.

“Motivation without money: How to engage employees with non-financial rewards” 9

This article was also written for Headlines and discusses non-monetary benefits companies can offer to engage their workforce and incentivise them to produce their best work.

“Why I Hate Manifestos (and why you should too)” 10

This manifesto was written as part of a creative writing module at University which asked us to consider rules for writing. I suggested that I would never have a definitive manifesto for writing and that instead I would constantly work on developing my style and skills. Manifestos run the risk of becoming stale.

If you are interested in reading other examples of my writing please email me at sophie.windatt@tiscali.co.uk and I will provide them.

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Christmas has come early – get inspired at Bell!1

Our Christmas Open Evening is drawing ever closer and, with so much planned, we wanted to give you a quick sneak preview of what we’ve got on offer to whet your appetites and stuff your stockings this holiday season!

Food is always my greatest priority and pleasure at Christmas and we plan on making the most of our excellent local chefs and showroom facilities to bring you a night of delicacies you won’t soon forget! Our last Italian Food demonstration was a tremendous success and we are delighted to welcome back the wonderful Carmela Sereno Hayes of Carmela’s Kitchen. She’ll be cooking some of her favourite Italian recipes using simple ingredients to create dishes bursting with flavour in our Nicholas Bell demonstration kitchen.

In the kitchen alongside Carmela we have a mixologist from Zip using our Zip HydroTap G4 All-in-One to create delicious mocktails to order. You may remember him from our Spring Open Evening and perhaps you haven’t stopped craving his sensational Granny Mojitos, Elderflower Lemonades and Raspberry Collins since then!

In addition to the mocktails I would definitely recommend trying some of the award winning wines we’ll have available from Bill Hulme’s highly acclaimed local vineyard, Fleurfields. Bill himself will be on hand to pour refill after refill! And if gin is more your thing (or if you just want to try both!) we have gin tasting thanks to the team at Warner Edwards who will be bringing their beautiful, artisan spirits for all to enjoy.

In the outdoor living department the lovely Dharma from Masala Cuisine will be cooking scrumptious Indian samosas, curries, and flat breads to warm us up this winter. Meanwhile Marcus from the Big Green Egg will be demonstrating this one-of-a-kind BBQ and John MacQueen from Morso BBQ will be doing likewise on a stunning Morso grill. Both will be creating superb autumn treats for enjoying outdoors so if you thought you’d seen the last of BBQ cooking for the year, think again! Dust off your own grill and let us show you how to make the most of it all year round.

As well as enjoying all the food and drink on offer we invite you to indulge in a vast array of goodies from a number of local businesses. Jo from the Crafty Owl is returning to offer a gift-wrapping and paper crafting service and demonstration to add the final touches to your presents. Honeysuckle Hampers will be available to purchase and pre-order for Christmas with high quality artisan gift hampers stuffed to bursting with local produce. Pots of Style will be showing off some beautiful wreaths to get your inspiration flowing for our wreath making demonstration on the 1st of December. For more information about this event visit our events page.2

We’ve got so much planned and so many more gorgeous foods to try and goodies to buy – this really will be a fantastic Christmas evening and we look forward to welcoming you!

1 http://www.abell.co.uk/2015/10/christmas-open-evening-2015/2 http://www.abell.co.uk/home/about-us/events-page/

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Not to be read on an empty stomach!3

On Saturday 13th June Bell played host to Grant Wentzel, the expert head chef from the Rose and Crown, who cooked up a storm in our Nicholas Bell kitchen demonstrating some of his favourite dishes and answering our cookery questions.

First on the menu was a delicious blend of crab, chorizo and pea served on crusty sourdough bread. The contrasting textures kept the dish interesting – the smooth pink-brown crab and the crisp crunch of the bread crust complemented each other beautifully – and the lemon juice and smoky chorizo gave it a slightly spicy kick. With the bright green of the peas and the delicate pink of the crab this dish was a treat for all five senses. Beautifully simple to make and even easier to eat up, it vanished as soon as it was served!

For the main course Grant prepared roast rump of lamb, Jersey Royals, and locally grown asparagus with sauce vierge. This simple sauce is incredibly versatile and can be adjusted easily depending on your preferences and the ingredients you have available. With toasted coriander and cumin seeds and sweet chopped tomatoes it had a light, summery taste which went beautifully with the rich lamb and sweet, buttery potatoes.

The grand finale was a thick, creamy lemon posset with rhubarb and summer fruit compote and shortbread biscuits. The rhubarb, like the asparagus, was produced locally and had the same delicious freshness. The shortbread biscuits were soft and hot straight out of the oven, melting in the mouth in a burst of sweet, buttery crumbs. Those that lasted long enough to cool firmed up into crisp, sugary biscuits, perfect for slathering inelegantly with an enormous dollop of posset and compote! Gorgeous!

To enjoy more delicacies from Grant please visit the Rose and Crown in Yardley Hastings – click here4 to find out more about this superb bistro and book your table. If you would like to come along to our next cooking demonstration make sure you are free on the 18th of July when local Italian cookery expert Carmela Sereno Hayes will be demonstrating a huge menu of Italian treats. This is one you won’t want to miss so book your place now!

3 http://www.abell.co.uk/2015/06/not-to-be-read-on-an-empty-stomach/4 http://www.roseandcrownbistro.co.uk/

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Jotul and Scan join the Bell Family5

Bell’s showroom in Northampton has recently been adorned with a selection of award-winning stoves from Jotul and Scan. The new display blends sleek curves and modern glass hearths with the dark allure of classic cast iron. These timeless designs fit effortlessly into contemporary and traditional environments alike and their energy efficiency and heat retention is second to none.

With more than 160 years of experience in the frigid Norwegian climate the designers at Jotul know what they’re doing when it comes to battling the cold. They are also faced with some of the strictest environmental regulations in the world which means that you won’t feel the prick of your conscience every time you light a Jotul stove. They are made using recycled cast iron which retains heat far better than steel and will not warp or deform over time. They also include a double combustion system which keeps pollution levels down by using the fuel’s energy to create heat rather than smoke.

In addition to the myriad environmental benefits of the Jotul stoves, the designers have put intense thought into the aesthetic impact. A Jotul design is a work of art made with solid craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. They are so confident in the quality and durability of their craft that they offer a 10 year warranty – the longest on the market.

The designers at Scan have also achieved international recognition for their ingenuity and design. They make stoves that are as beautiful as they are functional by using crisp, clean lines and dramatic angles or by drawing on shapes found in nature which mould themselves organically into your home environment. Each is a masterpiece and forms a stunning focal point in any room.

To celebrate Norwegian Independence Day we are offering 17% off all Jotul stoves from the 17th-31st of May. Buy Jotul stoves6 online today or visit our showroom in Northampton to experience the quality of the range for yourself.

5 http://www.abell.co.uk/2015/05/jotul-and-scan-join-the-bell-family/6 http://www.abell.co.uk/product-category/fires-stoves/wood-burning-stoves/jotul/

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“The worst thing to be brave about is the tea ration.Everything else can be managed.”

When the Second World War broke out in 1939 the British government seized all stocks of tea from the capital and scattered them about the country to ensure their safety even if London was bombed. By July of 1940 supply ships carrying tea were no longer able to reach our shores and the British government began a strict rationing programme, limiting purchase to only 2oz per person per week. Even with limited supplies, a good cup of tea was an essential morale booster throughout the war, with additional stocks being granted to the hard-working armed forces and handed out to air-raid survivors by the Women’s Voluntary Service.

During the war the towns of Cowes and East Cowes became a hub of industrial activity, manufacturing aircraft and ships to supply the military, whilst remaining remarkably lightly defended themselves. The great Polish destroyer Blyskawica was docked at John Samuel White’s shipyard to be refit and, on the morning of the 28 th of April, 1942, seven enemy planes rained bombs and gunfire down on Cowes, targeting the immense vessel. Much of the area surrounding the Blyskawica was destroyed by fire but she remained undefeated and her commander, Captain Francki, prepared ammunition to defend the towns in the second bombardment he felt sure would come.

The islanders had become accustomed to the familiar drone of German bombers flying overhead as their pilots sought larger, more important towns on the mainland but, over the 4th and 5th of May, shortly after the first attack on Blyskawica, they suffered a devastating air raid; the worst the Isle of Wight would see during the war. It came in two waves, the first starting late at night and only ending when the enemy returned to their base to refuel. The bombers targeted road junctions to prevent assistance from accessing the two towns but the crew of the Blyskawica swiftly created a smoke screen, partially concealing them from sight, and took aim at the planes with anti-aircraft weaponry, forcing them higher and decreasing their accuracy. The second wave of bombers hit the towns just as emergency services had reached the residents.

Volunteers driving Tea Vans, provided by the Women’s Voluntary Service, served up heartening cups of tea throughout the night and, following the raid, temporary canteens were established at Osborne Road, East Cowes and Trinity Hall, Cowes to serve the numerous islanders left homeless by the bombing. The community rallied, bringing their resources together and finding strength in one another.

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Hanging on to Generation Y

Millennials seem to have got themselves a reputation as the lazy, flaky generation. We’re described as technology-obsessed, selfish and naïve, with unrealistic expectations of the job market and a dangerous habit of career-hopping. With a reputation like that it’s a wonder any of us are employed at all!

According to a survey conducted by Future Workplace 91% of millennials expect to leave a job in under three years and as a result they run the risk of making themselves undesirable to future employers.7 When hiring, managers are making the decision to invest time, money and training in the successful candidate and it’s important to them that the investment is not wasted on someone likely to up and leave at a moment’s notice. What the unwitting millennial may believe is an impressive CV could in fact be a one-way ticket to the reject pile if the potential employer can’t see any evidence of commitment to a job.

With this in mind it’s important for managers to know how to minimise the risks associated with employing a millennial so that they won’t be the next victim of our job-hopping habits. And, despite what you’ve heard, generation y has plenty of skills and experiences to bring to the table which managers would do well to utilise (before we hop off again)!

Domtar is one company that seems to have embraced the millennial generation; they have begun an initiative that focuses on their interests, giving them an incentive to remain with the company for longer. Domtar’s EarthChoice Ambassadors programme was begun after research suggested that millennials were more than just materialistic, greedy 20-somethings but were actually passionately interested in environmental causes and issues of sustainability.8 (Don’t forget, iPhones are recyclable!)

7 http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2012/08/14/job-hopping-is-the-new-normal-for-millennials-three-ways-to-prevent-a-human-resource-nightmare/8 http://www.theguardian.com/domtar-partner-zone/2014/oct/01/engage-young-employees-millennials-work-ethic-earthchoice-ambassadors

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This initiative began with small changes such as replacing disposable cups with reusable ones, saving landfills from tons of styrofoam waste, and the programme has grown dramatically since then with management promising to offer it in every facility by 2020.

It’s not just the feel-good factor of helping the planet that’s keeping my generation interested in Domtar either. Other incentives of this programme include a personalised letter from the company CEO and EarthChoice Ambassador name plates. For a generation that thrives on recognition and wants to constantly stand out, these sorts of rewards are absolutely key.

Of course, sustainability programmes aren’t the only way to engage young workers. According to a Forbes article by Jeanne Meister one of the best things you can offer is workplace flexibility (which actually appears to be more important than both compensation and career progression).9 A flexible schedule gives employees more control over their working life and, as a result, makes them feel trusted by management. Where there’s a good relationship between management and their team the employees are much more likely to stay on long-term.

Though generation y may appear to be a lazy, good-for-nothing bunch of youths, in truth we are ambitious, driven individuals and where we see potential for progression and rewards for contribution we will settle in for the long-haul.

9 http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2012/08/14/job-hopping-is-the-new-normal-for-millennials-three-ways-to-prevent-a-human-resource-nightmare/

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Motivation without money:How to engage employees with non-financial rewards

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to engage your workforce using things other than financial incentives. Robert Cross, head of reward, UK and Ireland at Tui Travel led a session on the importance of non-monetary reward at this year’s Employee Benefits Live where he described the efforts of Tui in recognising the contributions of their employees.10

The organisation has an award scheme called ‘Saying Thank You’ which offers vouchers and e-cards to hard-working staff and culminates in an annual employee recognition event where the individuals who have contributed most throughout the year are rewarded with a cruise. There are five categories in which staff can be nominated including teamwork, financial and process improvement, sustainability, customer experience, and innovation and business transformation, so there are plenty of opportunities for recognition, no matter the individual’s skillset.

Reward analyst for the company, Cara Catlin, talked about the inclusive nature of the reward scheme: “Anyone can recognise anyone, so it doesn’t have to be a manager nominating an employee, it can be a colleague nominating the person that sits next to them, to tell them they’re doing a good job.”11

Catlin added, “In the lead-up to the event, we put all the stories about the nominations onto the intranet. The recognition starts really early on. It isn’t just a one-off event.” It is important for employees to see that their contributions are being noticed day in and day out so maintaining an ongoing reward scheme is crucial to ensuring engagement within an organisation.

Tui Travel isn’t the only company using these sorts of schemes to drive employee engagement; Jane Earnshaw, senior director of reward at Asda, has been part of the development of Asda’s reward scheme which has been constantly improving and adapting to employee needs for the last 15 years. “Recognition is one of the biggest tools in our armoury, to recognise and say thank you to our employees.”12 Earnshaw emphasised the importance of instantaneous and relevant celebration of achievement, suggesting that employees need to feel acknowledged without being patronised or treated to a generic display of appreciation.

Santander have taken this idea even further by designing an employee value proposition that takes individual needs into account and offers employees the most relevant benefit type.13 The tagline for the new benefits package tells employees that it will help them look after their health and family whilst getting more from their lifestyle, allowing for the diverse range of staff to receive a diverse range of rewards.14

The importance of employee engagement is no longer questioned and it is clear that reward plays a crucial part in keeping people motivated. However, it’s reassuring to know that this reward doesn’t always have to put a dent in the company bank balance.

10 http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/events/employee-benefits-events-news/tui-travel-engages-staff-with-non-cash-reward/105340.article11 http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/benefits/staff-motivation/tui-hosts-employee-recognition-event/105153.article12 http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/benefits/staff-motivation/asda-to-share-insight-into-recognition-plan-at-eb-live/105344.article13 http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/benefits/communication/santander-and-samsung-drive-flex-take-up-with-effective-communications/105586.article14 https://www.wearesantander.co.uk/your-benefits

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Why I Hate Manifestos (and why you should too)

Creative writing does not follow a set of definitive rules so do not write a manifesto you intend to follow indefinitely. Let it be subject to change and adaptation as your writing evolves.

Do not attempt stylistic consistency for the sake of finding your ‘writer’s voice’. Every technique should be experimented with until a new one develops. It will probably be an improvement.

Keep improving.

If you are not improving then leave that piece until a later date. Change your clothes, take a new notepad and a different pen and sit in a place you’ve never stopped at before. Then write something new.

Do not be afraid of leaving your work unfinished. This is not failure.

You will learn best from your own mistakes so give yourself an opportunity to make them.

Do not try to write like other people even if you think they’re better than you. You will never surpass them if you’re always tagging behind.

Take inspiration, take note, take advice. Never steal.

Avoid re-reading anything written under instruction. It contains less of you and more of the instructor.

Write from experience. You can write more powerfully about an incident with a toothbrush than a hand grenade if your days are spent locked inside a bathroom rather than a war zone.

Treat pretty language with caution and avoid even the most beautiful clichés.

Do not use words without giving them meaning. Edit out anything that does not add to your work.

Do not worry about what the meaning is. ‘Red’ is as powerful as ‘scarlet’ and neither has to mean ‘danger’. Choose words that add to the tone of your piece; often they will be the shortest and most obvious.

Your work must not be the cause of your emotions; it should be the product of them. If writing is making you miserable: just stop.

Never create a final version of your manifesto. When your ideas about writing become stagnant and out-dated, so does the writing itself.

Everything you write will be wrong and that’s ok.

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