The digital workplace has evolved. So has our understanding of mental wellbeing.

​While the early days of lockdown were marked by sudden disruption, anxiety has not vanished with the easing of restrictions. It has simply changed shape. Today’s working world blends remote setups, hybrid teams and digital-first demands with persistent uncertainty and pressure.

Anxiety is a common affliction, and that’s not surprising. The modern world is much more demanding and complex than our brains were designed to handle. Pain is a symptom of a body in distress. Anxiety is a symptom of a mind in distress.

Anxiety, however, remains a signal – a symptom of a mind overwhelmed by expectations, interruptions and conflicting priorities. It’s important to recognise that anxiety is not a personal flaw. It’s a rational response to an overstimulated environment, especially one that asks us to be constantly connected, responsive and available.

In this blog I revisit this topic that I first explored during lockdown 2020. 

​Building an effective marketing plan isn’t about box-ticking. It’s about designing a focused framework that connects strategic goals with practical actions.

Whether you're a growing SME, an in-house team re-evaluating priorities or an agency looking to bring clarity to client direction, a strong plan anchors activity, supports decisions and ensures measurable value.

Here’s a framework I’ve used consistently in consultancy and client-side roles alike, built on over two decades of strategic delivery across B2B and B2C. This isn’t theory. It’s tested structure.

In 2018, I wrote a short reflection on the blurred lines between learning and loitering online. It was called “Am I surfing or working?” and you can read it here: LinkedIn Article – 2018

Now, in 2025, that question matters more than ever.

With AI-generated content, infinite resources, and ‘just five minutes’ becoming half an hour of link-hopping, it’s easy to lose track of what’s productive. Yet, for many in digital marketing, martech or content strategy, that very browsing could hold the key to smarter output.

So how do you know when you’re working… and when you’re just floating?

​Back in 2018, I wrote a short article on LinkedIn about the deceptively complex nature of simple communication.

​The title – It’s straightforward and simple,  I know what I’m saying, after all, was deliberately ironic. Because too often, when we think something is clear, it’s usually anything but.

You can read the original piece here: LinkedIn Article – 2018

Seven years on, this topic is more relevant than ever. In an era of marketing automation, AI-generated copy and algorithm-optimised headlines, clarity is still king. But achieving it now comes with new challenges.

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We've all done it.  We write out a to-do list at the start of the day, and then, when we write out our list, we just add everything back onto it.

If the tasks on your to-do list are not too important and don't have to be completed by a specific time, then this isn't a major concern; however, when you really need to get something done, it becomes more critical.

So, SMART targets are the way to go forward.

​In 2018, I wrote a short piece that turned into one of the most enduring ideas I’ve carried with me through client meetings, stakeholder updates and team conversations.

It was simply this: choose 'and' instead of 'but'.

You can read the original here: LinkedIn Article – 2018
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Seven years on, this small word swap is still one of the quickest ways to de-escalate tension, build trust and encourage collaboration.

For many companies, their marketing and sales teams have worked in parallel, often chasing different goals using different tools.

Customer success, when considered, is typically introduced after the sale. In a business landscape that demands agility, this fragmented approach no longer holds.

Revenue Operations, commonly known as RevOps, is the current 'new' method being touted, only it's nothing new.

RevOps has been around for the past decade, but it has recently emerged as the crucial framework for driving predictable and sustainable growth.

According to a 2020 study by Boston Consulting Group, companies with a strong RevOps function achieve up to a 100% increase in digital marketing ROI and a 10-20% improvement in sales productivity.

​Whether you’re leading a team, managing multiple digital campaigns or wearing several hats in a fast-paced organisation, staying organised is no longer a luxury.  It’s essential.

As someone who’s juggled CRM integrations, cross-functional projects and time-sensitive marketing strategies, I know that a streamlined approach can make the difference between calm and chaos.

​This guide distils that experience into easy, actionable ideas.

Data Protection Isn’t Complicated, But It Does Matter

Data protection has a reputation for being overwhelming. For small teams and independent consultants, it can feel like a legal maze filled with paperwork and penalties.

But in truth, the principles behind UK data protection law are clear, practical and entirely achievable — even without a legal department.

Done well, data protection doesn’t just keep you compliant. It builds trust, improves operations and gives you more confidence in how you handle customer information.

* Caveat - this post is for guidance only and if in doubt you should seek legal advice. ​