Did you know that whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport?
General opinion is starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that.
It seems to me that love is everywhere.
Feels like such a long time ago, now, that I first said those words.
I still feel it’s true though. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there.
That love between fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.
When there’s a disaster, I don’t hear of last phone messages calling for revenge or hate. I hear of messages of love.
What I said then still stands today: “If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.”
Finding love with someone in my household staff caused more than a few headlines!
They thankfully settled down a little when we got married and had the kids, though that picture of us in the Christmas play is still trotted out now and then.
One thing hasn’t changed. Natalie still won’t let me deal with the ex-boyfriend who told her she had legs like tree trunks.
Lots of things have changed. Me standing down as Prime Minister after ten years in charge, leaving politics to work in charities. Natalie starting her own catering business. Us having three lovely children.
Of course, you know Natalie. Always prone to putting her foot in it.
So, she worried about communication in her business, with her staff, customers, and suppliers.
One of the benefits of being in government was learning about the latest techniques and the latest technologies, so I knew there was a tool she could use to underpin her business and help her get, and maintain, ISO standards in food safety, information security, quality management, environmental management, corporate social responsibility, and health and safety.
“Mango?” she said.
“Don’t use it much. Tend to have seasonal, locally sourced ingredients in our food.”
I shook my head.
“No, Nat, not the fruit. Mango the online compliance software. It helps your team communication because you can access your information anywhere you need it, whether you’re in the office, at an event, or catering a weekend party in the Highlands. It’s all in the cloud.”
Natalie sighed.
“Sounds like it would take a load off my shoulders. I spend far too much time on paperwork these days.”
She put the freshly baked sea bass down on the table.
“Try this out. It’s for a wedding in Kent,” she said.
“Guess who I bumped into in the High Street?”
I shrugged.
“Elton John? Your mum?”
She laughed.
“Not far off! Billy Mack. He had that awful record that was at the top of the charts for ages, Christmas Is All Around.”
I took a slice of sea bass and put it on my plate.
“Bet he looks TERRIBLE these days…”
She laughed again.
“Not that bad, actually…”
Need help getting your ISO standards, actually? Call our consultants at Penarth Management on 029 2070 3328 or email info@penarth.co.uk. Find out how online software like Mango boosts communication and efficiency in your business. Book a free demonstration which will be delivered via Zoom.