I was at BNI this morning. Well, what else would you do in Inverness at 6.30am on a Thursday morning after my drive through from Elgin?
In their own ways, both made an impression on me.
The first was Sophia Hanson. She must be one of the most chilled people I know. From her base in Conon Bridge, she teaches Yoga (online classes) and is a clinical hypnotherapist. She helps people stop some things (like smoking or bingeing on chocolate), start others (be more productive or get better at sales), overcome fear of dogs, spiders, etc., and she helps people deliver talks and presentations without shaking like a leaf. She’s planning to run some wellbeing workshops in the area, so watch out for those!
She was giving a short talk about her business and sharing some of her success stories. There were more than ten people in the room whom she had already helped to make changes in their lives and businesses. You can email her at sophia@sophiahanson.com or check out her website or LinkedIn.
Now, given that her only aid was a single stool, this was a very impressive presentation. She obviously practices what she teaches. No PowerPoint or even a script. A fascinating talk and well presented, not a mumble in sight. Cool, calm and collected with a powerful story to tell.
The other was Jodie McCluskey, who now works for the charity MikeysLine in Inverness. I have been at meetings with Jodie each week for over 6 months. Until this morning, I did not realise that I used to listen to her when she was on MFR. She was nothing like what I had pictured from the voice I used to hear. I always pictured the person behind that voice as a brunette with short curly hair. Turns out her natural hair colour is brunette with at least some curls, so I was not completely wrong.
Isn’t it funny how your mind fills in these gaps? I listened to Jodie on the radio, but had never met her, so my mind filled in the picture of what she looked like. Do people do that to me, and if so, what picture do they create in their mind?
Is it the same with the business contacts that you speak to on the phone but never actually meet? I suppose that so many meetings now are on Zoom or Teams that you do see the other person anyway.
In a similar vein, I have noticed that the photos on websites or attached to emails and social media posts all seem to be much younger than the person in real life. I cannot really point the finger because |I regularly use a photo taken about 7 or 8 years ago. Partly, I suppose it is just that people never quite get around to updating their photos, but I think it is also partly that everyone likes to think of their slightly younger selves.
But one way or another, we manage our own images, and we build up an image of what people look like that we never meet. We also make assumptions about their character. Some people naturally look or sound friendly and approachable, and others do not. And yet the reality might be quite different.
Both of my women today seem friendly and approachable. I had the advantage of meeting with them both, so I had more than a voice or photo to go by. But just the same, I do not know them outside of BNI. However, somehow, I think that they will be the same with everyone and in all situations. They just come across like that. Could I be “another one fooled!”
Turns out that Sophia also worked at MFR reading news bulletins, so it is clearly a good training ground.
To more serious matters! MTD is just a few weeks away. If you are a sole trader and your trading turnover plus rents received were over £50,000 in 2024/25, then you will be in the first tranche of 900,000 taxpayers making their first MTD submission by 7 August 2026. We have our lists ready!
MTD is going to be a big change in the way profits are reported. The returns will be for calendar quarters and can only be submitted online except in certain quite restricted circumstances.
If you are not sure about anything to do with MTD, just get in touch. That’s what we are here for.
It’s going to be interesting!
Alan E Long
The Long Partnership
07770 738770
